Pinched Nerve in Back? 10 Best Ways to Relieve Pain

The nerves in your back provide communication between your brain and body. They perform their job in several ways, including:

• Sending signals to your brain that allow you to feel pain, temperature changes, and touch.
• Carrying messages from your brain to your muscles, enabling voluntary movements.
• Regulating processes like digestion, blood pressure, and bladder control.
• Activating the automatic, protective reactions in response to stimuli.

Your spine has a network of nerves that branch from the spinal cord to different parts of your body. It’s made up of vertebrae separated by soft, shock-absorbing discs. These discs and surrounding ligaments and muscles help protect the nerves.

Sometimes, things go wrong, such as a disc slipping out of place or a bony growth forming due to arthritis. When these changes narrow the spaces where nerves exit the spine, it can pinch or compress the nerve. This pressure disrupts the nerve’s ability to send signals properly, leading to symptoms like:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Tingling

If you’ve ever felt sharp pain that radiates down your leg or arm, a pinched nerve might be the reason.

What Causes a Pinched Nerve in Back?

A pinched nerve happens when excessive pressure is placed on a spinal nerve. This pressure can result from various factors, including:

• Herniated or bulging discs
• Bone spurs
• Spinal stenosis
• Muscle tightness or spasms
• Injuries or repetitive strain
• Age-related changes

Signs of a Pinched Nerve in Back

The symptoms of a pinched nerve can range from mild to severe. They often follow the path of the affected nerve and can be described as:

• Sharp, burning, or radiating pain that travels down your arm or leg
• Numbness in areas of your back, arms, or legs
• Tingling or pins and needles sensations
• Muscle weakness

You may also notice that your symptoms worsen when you sit for too long, bend over, or lift something heavy.

However, if you have persistent weakness or lose control of your bladder or bowels, seek medical help immediately. This could indicate a serious condition.

How Is a Pinched Nerve Diagnosed?

Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and perform a physical exam to check for muscle strength, reflexes, and sensation. They may also recommend imaging tests, like an MRI or CT scan, to get a detailed look at your spine. In some cases, an electromyography (EMG) test will be performed to measure nerve and muscle activity.

Finding Relief for a Pinched Nerve: 10 Approaches That Can Help

If you’re dealing with the discomfort of a pinched nerve, here are 10 ways to ease the pain and support your recovery:

1. Take it easy. Avoid heavy lifting, long periods of sitting, or any movements that make your pain worse. But don’t stay completely inactive. Gentle movement helps with healing.
2. Improve your posture. Use supportive, ergonomic seating and avoid slouching to keep your spine aligned.
3. Apply heat or cold. Ice packs can help reduce inflammation, while heat packs relax tight muscles. Switching between both can be especially effective.
4. Stretch regularly. Gentle stretches for your back, hips, and legs can help relieve tension.
5. Stay active. Low-impact exercises like walking or swimming can help maintain flexibility and strengthen muscles without adding stress to your back.
6. Try over-the-counter pain relievers. NSAIDs like ibuprofen can reduce inflammation and pain, providing short-term relief.
7. Consider physical therapy. A physical therapist can guide you through exercises tailored to your condition to strengthen your core and work toward relief.
8. Maintain a healthy weight. Carrying extra weight puts more pressure on your spine and nerves.
9. Explore injections for pain relief. In more severe cases, a doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling around the nerve.
10. Adjust your sleep position. Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees or on your back with a pillow under your knees can keep your spine in a neutral position.

When To See A Doctor for Pinched Nerve in Back

If your pain lasts more than a few weeks or worsens despite self-care, it’s time to consult a doctor. Both neurologists and physiatrists are experts in helping resolve pain from pinched nerves. Early treatment can prevent further nerve damage and help you protect your long-term spinal health.

Don’t continue to live with pain from a pinched nerve in back – schedule an appointment today!