Effective Measures Used for Pinched Nerve Treatment
Pinched nerve or compressed nerve is a condition that can cause pain in different parts of the body unless it is treated in time. Nerves extend through all parts of the body from the brain and the spinal cord. These nerves send vital messages all over the body and help in carrying out different crucial functions. A person who has got a pinched nerve might experience pains. The damages caused by pinched nerves may be severe or minor and may lead to long-lasting or temporary problems. An early diagnosis along with effective treatment is the best way to handle nerve compression. In certain cases, the damage caused by a pinched nerve cannot be reversed. However, proper treatment can relieve the pain as well as other symptoms of discomfort.
A pinched nerve takes place when there is improper pressure or compression on a nerve. This pressure can be caused by repetitive motions or by holding the body part in a particular position for longer durations of time, like keeping the elbows bent or under pressure while sleeping. Nerves have a little soft tissue covering for protection, although they are vulnerable when they need to move through the narrow spaces. Nerve compression occurs frequently when they are pressed between the tissues like in ligaments, tendons and bones.
Pinched Nerve Treatment:
One of the most frequently used methods for pinched nerve treatment is total rest for an affected area. A doctor may recommend that the patient temporarily halt any kind of activities that may aggravate the compression.
Sometimes the patient may also be asked to use a brace or splint to immobilize the affected area, although this mainly depends on the area that has been affected. If the patient has got carpal tunnel syndrome, the doctor may recommend using a splint both during the day and night as the wrists tend to extend and flex frequently while sleeping.
Physical Therapy:
Physical therapy forms a very important part of pinched nerve treatment. A professional physical therapist can educate the patient about exercises that help to stretch and strengthen the muscles within an affected area for relieving pressure on the affected nerve. The physical therapist may also recommend certain modifications to regular activities that may aggravate the nerve.
Medications:
If pain does not go away through physical therapy, the doctor may recommend using certain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs to treat the pains. Some of the NSAIDs that can be used for this purpose include ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.
Corticosteroid injections, administered by injection or by mouth can help to minimize the pains and inflammations.
Surgery:
If conservative treatments are not able to improve the pinched nerve even after several weeks of trying, then the doctor may opt for surgery to take the pressure off the affected nerve. The kind of surgical procedure that is to be used depends on the specific location of pinched nerve.
Surgery may involve removing portions of herniated disk within the spine or bone spurs or cutting the carpal ligament for allowing greater space for a nerve to pass easily through the wrist.
