Pinched Nerve Relief: Effective Tips to Ease Neck Pain Now
That feeling you get when everything feel like it’s on fire and you don’t know what to do? A pinched nerve can create that not so nice burning sensation that just gets irritated time after time, and sometimes not with anything overly strenuous. There are a number of things that can set off nerve pain, whether it be planting or working in the garden or taking a header in soccer. Often, it is the repetitive tasks that we do each day.
Why does it happen?
A pinched nerve can be a result of:
Poor postures/Movement patterns
Muscle tightness
Joint stiffness
Overstretch/injury to the area
Lack of mobility
Often, its not just one factor but a combination of several that leads to irritation
Here is how to help!
Take a Break
A pinched nerver can be quite limiting, so pay attention to what your body is telling you. If an activity is worsening your symptoms, step away from the activity and let things settle.
Motion is Lotion
Use as much comfortable movement as possible. Nerves can quickly adapt to the tightened position and put more strain on the area, making the irritation worse. Easy range of motion exercises and gentle stretching is going to be helpful here so that you don’t stiffen up. The key is to stay within a comfortable range-don’t force painful movements.
3..2..1..Breathe
A pinched nerve can sometimes take your breath away. Slow, controlled breathing can really do a world of wonders as it allows the nervous system to relax and helps reduce muscle tension. Breath in through your nose for up to 8 seconds and breathe out throught the mouth for about 5-8 seconds as well. Repeat for a few minutes.
The Pain isn’t always where the problem is
Even if you're not feeling that burning sensation directly in your neck, it doesn't mean that's not where the problem is coming from. It's common to feel symptoms in the shoulder, arm, or hand when a nerve in the neck is irritated. This is because the nerves that leave your neck travel through your shoulder, arm, and hand, supplying the muscles and skin along the way. As a result, symptoms are often felt farther down the nerve rather than at the site where it's actually irritated.
At our clinic, we take a whole-body approach. We don't just focus on where you're feeling the pain but we assess the body as a whole, looking at joint mobility, muscle tightness, and overall movement to identify where the irritation is coming from. Treating the source and not just the symptoms, is what allows us to create the most effective treatment plan and help you recover more efficiently.
Don’t Tough it Out
Nerve pain is no joke and, as we mentioned, can really slow you down. The sonner it’s assessed, the sonner the right treatment plan can begin. In many cases, early treatment can help calm the irritation before symptoms become more persistent.
If your symptoms are severe, pain started after major injury, you’re noticing significant weakness in your arm or hand seek urgent medical attention.
If this sounds like you, don’t wait for the symptoms to become more persistent! We specilize in assessing and treating pinched nerves, helping identify the true source of your pain so you can get back to doing the things you enjoy. As always, we are rooting for you!