A pinched nerve can be debilitating, causing shooting pain that stops you in your tracks. You may be using pain medication to reduce the discomfort, but as soon as it wears off, that pain is back. Can physical therapy help a pinched nerve? It may, and in doing so, you may find long-term relief from your discomfort.
What is a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve refers to a nerve that’s inflamed or otherwise damaged. Typically, this occurs along the spinal column, where a series of bones stacked on top of each other, called vertebrae, protect the spinal cord that runs through them. The spinal cord is made up of small nerves that run from each area of your body up and into the brain. This controls the functions of your body. A pinched nerve occurs when one of those nerve roots is pinched or touched due to damage to the vertebrae, specifically to the intervertebral foramen, which are small openings on the vertebrae.
Since nerves send messages to the brain, this compression or pinching sends a pain signal to your brain, informing it of something not being right. As long as that compression or inflammation continues, the pain signal is alarming and debilitating.
How to Recognize a Pinched Nerve
The symptoms of a pinched nerve tend to be hard to miss. They tend to include:
- A sharp shooting pain that radiates from your back or spine
- A burning sensation
- Numbness or a sense of tingling, especially a pins and needles sensation
- Weakness that develops in your legs or arms, depending on where the pinching is occurring
- Pain that seems to worsen when you are lying down or sitting for a long period of time
Can Physical Therapy Relieve Pinched Nerve Pain?
It is common to turn to physical therapy for nerve damage and for good reasons. Though there are some conditions that may not improve with physical therapy, that is less common. By turning to a licensed physical therapist, you can see significant improvement in the pain you feel.
Physical therapy for nerve pain has to be specific, meaning it has to target the area where the damage is present. Conservative treatments, like physical therapy, allow for a holistic approach to treating the underlying problem. They aid in reducing the initial compression causing the pain and may encourage healing of the area.
When you visit a physical therapist, their first step will be to determine where the pain stems from, which can be done through an initial evaluation and physical. A treatment plan is then created for you, and the specific goal is to reduce the symptoms you have. Your therapist is an expert at movement and will not only provide strategies for reducing the pain and healing the area but also create strategies to reduce the risk of the pain returning. For example, by teaching you proper posture or how to carry a bag properly, it may be possible to prevent the pinched nerve from returning.
When to Seek Physical Therapy for Nerve Damage
If you have any of the symptoms of a pinched nerve or other sensations that feel like nerve damage, seek out an appointment with a physical therapist. You can visit your local healthcare provider, who will provide you with some guidance.
For those who have recurrent pain or a pinched nerve that returns infrequently, seeking a physical therapist can be well worth it. They will help you address the pain you feel, reduce symptoms, build muscles and proper body movements to prevent further damage, and help restore natural health to the treatment area.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
After an initial evaluation and discussion over the pain and discomfort you feel, your physical therapist will create a treatment plan designed to meet your needs. For many people with a pinched nerve, this may include:
- Improving range of motion. If you have limited mobility because of damage to a nerve, range-of-motion exercises can help strengthen the muscles and support improved function. This is often done through manual therapy.
- Build stronger muscles. Strengthening exercises done in a controlled environment by a therapist can strengthen the muscles surrounding the spinal column and surrounding areas, reducing the risk of additional damage to nerves.
- Increase flexibility. Many people with pinched nerve pain do not move that area as much as they used to because of the pain. With physical therapy, your provider will specifically look to improve your flexibility. In doing so, it may be possible to reduce at least some of the inflammation and damage to the nerve. Resume natural function. If you are not able to walk or you are holding your arm in a weird position due to your pain, your physical therapist will create a treatment plan that specifically strengthens those areas with the goal of improving their function and normal movement. It can also be used alongside other treatments, such as dry needling, to improve function, reduce pain, and stimulate natural healing.
- Offer support after treatment. Some people have more significant spinal cord injuries that can require additional treatment. If you still struggle after treatment, your physical therapist can help improve the healing process through controlled movements. If you have surgery, for example, for a back injury, you may benefit from physical therapy afterward.
When you visit a physical therapist, expect gentle support and guided treatment. There is no pain involved, and you should feel comfortable throughout the process.
Find a Rock Valley Physical Therapist Near You
When a pinched nerve, shooting pain, or other muscle weakness starts holding you back from doing the things you want and need to do, it’s time to find your local Rock Valley Physical Therapy clinic near you. Allow our team to work closely with you to create a treatment plan that reduces pain and improves function. Schedule an appointment with our physical therapists now to learn more about what we can offer you.