How Do You Fix a Pinched Nerve in Your Back?
Approximately 85 out of 100,000 American adults develop pinched nerves each year. While you can get a pinched nerve in different parts of your body, the back is very common. Back pain from a pinched nerve often happens after a car accident injury or a work-related incident.
Pinched nerves in the back can cause pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling, and these symptoms can make it hard to engage in daily activities. Fortunately, the symptoms typically go away in 6-12 weeks when people undergo the proper treatment plan.
If you want to fix a pinched nerve in your back, incorporate this treatment plan to get the results you want.
Rest and Modify Your Activities
Your back needs ample rest to recover from a pinched nerve. Don’t overexert yourself and modify your activities to avoid straining your back. Also, pay attention to your posture. Slouching puts extra pressure on your back and can make your symptoms worse.
Use Heat and Ice
Alternate between heat and ice to alleviate the pain and speed up the healing process. Only apply heat or ice for 15 minutes at a time. After removing the heat or ice, wait at least two hours before doing it again. Otherwise, you could harm your skin.
Take Over-the-counter Medications
Pinched nerves can be uncomfortable, so you might need to take over-the-counter pain medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, are a good choice. Along with alleviating the pain, these medications reduce the inflammation around the nerve.
Get Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is often necessary when recovering from a pinched nerve in the back. Your physical therapist in Brooklyn will help you improve your flexibility, posture, and strength. By doing so, you can relieve the inflammation in the nerve and start to feel better.
Also, these exercises will reduce your risk of developing another pinched nerve in the future. You don’t want to go through this pain and discomfort again, so definitely consider physical therapy.
Seek Chiropractic Treatment
You can also undergo chiropractic treatments to fix your pinched nerve. The chiropractor can realign your spine to take the pressure off the nerve.
An experienced chiropractor in Brooklyn also might use exercises and other therapies such as traction as part of the treatment protocol. Many people report fast relief from the symptoms of the pinched nerve after undergoing chiropractic treatments.
Consider Oral or Injectable Steroids
If your symptoms are significant, steroids might be necessary. Your Brooklyn pain management doctor can prescribe oral steroids or provide a corticosteroid injection. Steroids have strong anti-inflammatory properties and work quickly, so you should start feeling better shortly after taking the medication.
This will make it easier to undergo physical therapy or chiropractic care. You’ll also find that it’s much easier to engage in normal activities, such as going to work.
Get Help Recovering From a Pinched Nerve
If your symptoms are making it difficult to enjoy your life, it’s time to visit Brooklyn multi-specialty medical clinic. Then, you will have access to medications, orthopedics, neurology, pain management doctors, physical therapy, and chiropractic care.
Once your injury doctor develops your customized treatment plan, you can begin getting better. Soon, you’ll finally be able to put your pinched nerve behind you.
NEW: Telemedicine Appointments are now available, call (718) 769-2521 today, and get an immediate consultation in the comfort of your home. We accept most insurance plans including workers’ compensation and no-fault insurance.