Pinched Nerve Specialists Near Me

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FAQs:

What is a Pinched Nerve?

A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues, such as bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons. This pressure can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness. A pinched nerve can occur in many areas of the body. For example, a herniated disk in the lower spine may put pressure on a nerve root. This may cause pain that radiates down the back of the leg. A pinched nerve in the wrist can lead to pain and numbness in the hand and fingers, known as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Do Pinched Nerves Go Away on Their Own?

Most cases of pinched nerves go away on their own with some rest. Over 85% of acute pinched nerves in the neck resolve without any specific treatments within 8-12 weeks. However, to facilitate reduced inflammation, a person needs to consider nonsurgical treatments, including oral anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy.

What Does a Pinched Nerve Feel Like?

When a nerve is pinched or inflamed, this causes pain that shoots down the arms or legs. Typically, this happens in the pattern that the nerve supplies sensation to. A pinched nerve in the lower back most commonly causes shooting pain down the back of the thigh and back of the calf or down the side of the thigh and side of the calf. It is also possible to have pain that shoots into the buttock and wraps around the inner thigh. This pain is often described as a lightning bolt and can be sharp or burning in nature. Pain from a pinched nerve can be associated with arm/leg numbness or weakness.

Do Pinched Nerves Show Up on MRI?

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. This is one of the most powerful forms of Imaging in the healthcare field. An MRI uses powerful magnets to generate its image. When the body is exposed to powerful magnets, the individual nuclei of every atom will spin in a specific direction. Then, the differences in these spins are used to generate an image. MRIs are able to provide in-depth information on not only the spinal cord but individual nerves as well. There is a good chance that an MRI should be able to detect a pinched nerve. This can confirm the suspicions of a doctor. Depending on the location and size of a pinched nerve, it might also be possible to tell what the problem is and what caused the nerve compression. This is handled on a case-by-case basis. It is important to note that an MRI can take some time to complete. Furthermore, people must remove all metal objects from their bodies for an MRI. Anyone with metal inside their body may not be able to have an MRI.

How Long Does a Pinched Nerve Last?

Pinched nerves can last from a few days to about a month, depending on how you treat it. It is typically a temporary condition that you can treat on your own, but it’s important to not ignore long-lasting or acute pain as it could be the sign of a bigger problem. Remember, the nerve is signaling the brain that there’s an issue. If, after rest and home treatment, you do not feel better, see a pain management specialist for diagnosis and treatment. There is a chance this could be a recurring issue if it’s happened once. However, pinched nerves and the recurrence of pinched nerves can be avoided by reducing pressure and inflammation by simple exercise movements.

What Happens If You Let a Pinched Nerve Go Untreated?

While pinched nerves sound serious, the truth is that they rarely are. Unfortunately, when left untreated, however, permanent nerve damage can occur, including loss of control over bladder and bowel movements or a loss of feeling in the area. This is especially true with pinched nerves in the back.

What is the Difference Between a Pinched Nerve and a Compressed Nerve?

Distinguishing between an entrapped or pinched nerve and a compressed nerve isn’t as complicated as you might think. Telling the difference starts with looking at what part of the body the symptoms are coming from. A pinched or entrapped nerve happens when a nerve becomes trapped between tissues like bones, muscles, tendons, or ligaments. For example, if you’ve ever heard someone say they have a “crick in their neck,” they could be referring to a pinched nerve. A compressed nerve refers to the squeezing of the roots of nerves in the spinal cord. This type of nerve compression impacts the entire body, with pain or similar symptoms radiating through multiple body parts instead of a concentrated area. Conditions like sciatica are often used instead of saying that a nerve is “compressed.” This commonly happens during pregnancy, in middle adulthood (ages 30-50), or after a person is sedentary for long periods.

Can A Massage Help A Pinched Nerve?

Massage therapy can reduce muscle tension, putting less pressure on the nerve. It can also improve circulation, enhance blood flow, and promote healing. Massage therapy can also reduce inflammation, promote relaxation, and increase flexibility, helping prevent future injuries. Some effective massage techniques for a pinched nerve are the Swedish Massage, which uses long strokes, kneading, and circular movements.  A deep tissue massage uses slower strokes and more pressure to reach deeper tissues—trigger Point Therapy focuses on specific points with muscle fibers that form after injuries or overuse. The Myofascial Release technique applies gentle pressure on the muscles’ surrounding tissues.  A Neuromuscular Massage targets specific muscles to improve mobility and reduce pain.  The Hot Stone Massage uses heated stones to help penetrate deep into the muscles.

Is Heat or Cold Better for a Pinched Nerve?

The answer is both. For a pinched nerve, both ice and heat can be effective, but knowing when to use each is key. Ice is best for initial pain and swelling, while heat is more helpful after the pain has reduced, as it promotes blood flow and relaxes muscles. Start with ice for flare-ups, then transition to heat after a short break. For optimal results, apply heat for 10–20 minutes, with at least 30 minutes between sessions. Extended, moderate heat can be beneficial for severe pain, as long as it’s kept at a safe temperature.

Is Pinched Nerve Serious?

While unlikely, a pinched nerve can lead to more serious issues. Excess fluid and swelling around the nerve root can lead to a damaged nerve. It’s important to contact your doctor if you have severe pain or if your symptoms do not improve after around a week. This could indicate a more serious problem, such as neurological issues.

What are the Types of Pinched Nerves?

There are several types of and reasons for pinched nerves based on the affected nerve. Nerves that travel through small openings (called tunnels or canals) in your joints are more at risk of becoming pinched. Tissue swelling or damage puts pressure on the nerve, causing symptoms.

A. Spine-related pinched nerves

When surrounding tissues press on peripheral nerve roots (where peripheral nerves “exit” your spinal cord), it can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in different areas of your body. This is called radiculopathy. There are several types of radiculopathies based on where the pinched nerve is along your spine:

1. Neck (cervical radiculopathy).

2. Middle to upper back (thoracic radiculopathy).

3. Low back (lumbar radiculopathy).

B. Other types of pinched nerves

Examples of pinched nerves elsewhere in your body include:

1. Median nerve in your wrist: Carpal tunnel syndrome.

2. Radial nerve in your elbow: Radial tunnel syndrome.

3. Nerves in your lower neck and upper chest: Thoracic outlet syndrome.

4. Ulnar nerve in your elbow or wrist: Ulnar nerve entrapment.

5. Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in your thigh: Meralgia paresthetica.

6. Peroneal nerve on the top of your foot: Fibular tunnel syndrome.

7. Pudendal nerve in your pelvic area: Pudendal neuralgia.

8. Sciatic nerve in your lower back, hips, butt, or leg: Sciatica.

9. Tibial nerve in your heel or sole of your foot: Tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Pinched Nerve Symptoms

With nerve compression, sometimes pain may be your only symptom. Or you may have other symptoms without pain. These are some of the more common symptoms of compressed nerves:

1. Pain in the area of compression, such as the neck or lower back

2. Radiating pain, such as sciatica or radicular pain

3. Numbness or tingling

4. "Pins and needles" or a burning sensation

5. Weakness, especially with certain activities

6. The feeling of having a foot or hand "fall asleep"

Sometimes, symptoms worsen when you try certain movements, such as turning your head straining your neck, or when you're sleeping. Early diagnosis is important to prevent further damage or complications. A pinched nerve is a common cause of on-the-job injury.

What Causes a Pinched Nerve?

Knowing the causes of a pinched nerve in the neck or back can help you better understand the resulting symptoms.

Common causes include:

- A bulging or herniated disc

- Inflammation and degenerative changes from arthritis

- Bone spurs

- Back injury

- Chronic stress from repetitive movements

- Obesity

- Aging

- Being overweight

- Playing high-impact sports

- A job that is physically demanding

- Repetitive work

All these factors can cause soft tissues to compress a nerve or the spinal cord and increase your risk of developing a pinched nerve.

Risk Factors for Pinched Nerve

The following factors may increase your risk of experiencing a pinched nerve:

1. Sex assigned at birth. Women are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, possibly due to having smaller carpal tunnels.

2. Bone spurs. Trauma or a condition that causes bone thickening, such as osteoarthritis, can cause bone spurs. Bone spurs can stiffen the spine as well as narrow the space where your nerves travel, pinching nerves.

3. Rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis can compress nerves, especially in your joints.

4. Thyroid disease. People with thyroid disease are at higher risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Other risk factors include:

5. Diabetes. People with diabetes are at higher risk of nerve compression.

6. Overuse. Jobs or hobbies that require repetitive hand, wrist, or shoulder movements increase the risk of a pinched nerve. This includes assembly line work.

7. Obesity. Excess weight can add pressure to nerves.

8. Pregnancy. Water and weight gain associated with pregnancy can swell nerve pathways, compressing your nerves.

9. Prolonged bed rest. Long periods of lying down can increase the risk of nerve compression.

How Do They Diagnose a Pinched Nerve?

You’ll want to visit a healthcare provider about your pinched nerve if it’s not responding to conservative treatment at home, like rest and over-the-counter pain relievers. To find the source of the pinched nerve, your provider will physically examine the affected area. They’ll look for muscle weakness, check for changes in reflexes, and ask about the different sensations you’re feeling.

If necessary, your provider may recommend one or more of these tests to find the source of the problem:

1. X-ray: An X-ray can show bone changes that may be affecting nerves, like narrowing of your spinal canal or fractures.

2. Ultrasound: An ultrasound may show nerve compression or damage to the surrounding ligaments.

3. Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan shows 3D images and more detail of your bones and soft tissues (like ligaments) than an X-ray.

4. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI can show if damage to soft tissues is causing nerve compression.

5. Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction study: These tests can help determine if a nerve is working as it should. This helps your provider see if symptoms are due to pressure on spinal nerve roots or if they’re the result of another condition and cause.

How to Treat Pinched Nerve

You likely won’t need surgery for a pinched nerve. Instead, your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of these treatments to help you feel better:

1. Time and rest: For many people, time takes care of a pinched nerve, and it doesn’t need formal medical treatment. Your symptoms may go away in a few days or weeks.

2. Ice and heat: Apply ice and heat as you would with any swollen area for temporary relief.

3. Over-the-counter pain relievers: Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help your symptoms. NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package to safely take these medications.

4. Immobilization devices: Depending on the affected area and the cause of the pinched nerve, your provider may recommend wearing a brace to immobilize that area of your body. This limits movement and your range of motion to allow your nerves time to heal. Examples include a splint for your wrist and a cervical collar for your neck.

5. Corticosteroids: Your provider may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications like prednisone to relieve pain and inflammation. These may be oral medications (taken by mouth) or injections.

6. Physical therapy: Stretches and light exercise can help ease pressure on your nerves and relieve minor pain. Talk to your provider or physical therapist about what types of exercises are best for the type of pinched nerve you’re experiencing.

Surgery is the last resort in treating a pinched nerve when nonsurgical treatment hasn’t helped. The type of surgery depends on the area and cause of the pinched nerve.

How to Relieve a Pinched Nerve in Neck

Here are 10 key tips for relieving and preventing pinched nerve pain in the neck.

1. Rest and Sleep: Prioritize rest and avoid activities that may worsen pain, such as heavy lifting or high-impact sports. Rest helps the body repair itself, reducing symptoms faster.

2. Posture Adjustment: Poor posture can strain neck muscles and lead to nerve compression. Use ergonomic chairs, cushions, or neck rests to support natural alignment and reduce pressure.

3. Ergonomic Workstation: Set up an ergonomic workstation with adjustable equipment to reduce stress on nerves in the neck, wrists, and back. Alternating between sitting and standing can also reduce compression.

4. Hot and Cold Compress: Use a hot or cold compress for 10-15 minutes to reduce inflammation and improve blood flow, which aids healing.

5. Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter NSAIDs can temporarily relieve pain, but consult a doctor before prolonged use.

6. Splint or Cervical Collar: Wearing a soft collar can prevent further damage and relieve pressure, especially while sleeping.

7. Physical Therapy: Gentle exercises, massages, and stretching can help alleviate nerve pain. Avoid deep tissue massage, which may worsen symptoms.

8. Yoga and Stretching: Mild stretching and yoga targeting the neck and spine can reduce pain. Be cautious with overstretching to avoid aggravating symptoms.

9. Elevate Legs: Elevating legs can reduce spinal pressure, which may help relieve nerve compression in the neck.

10. Lifestyle Changes: Maintain an active lifestyle, avoid repetitive motions, and manage weight to support long-term nerve health.

How to Treat Pinched Nerve in Shoulder

To manage a pinched nerve in the shoulder, follow these strategies recommended by a pinched nerve doctor to promote healing and reduce discomfort.

1. Rest and Elevate: Rest the affected area and occasionally raise your arm to relieve nerve pressure.

2. Heat and Cold Therapy: Alternate between hot and cold packs for 15 minutes at a time to reduce inflammation and improve blood flow.

3. Gentle Massage: Get a light massage from a therapist, informing them about your pinched nerve.

4. Sleep Well: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night to aid healing. Avoid sleeping positions that strain the affected area.

5. Maintain Good Posture: Keep your back straight, and shoulders relaxed, and avoid slouching to prevent nerve compression.

6. Soft Cervical Collar: Use a neck collar briefly for support, though prolonged use can weaken muscles.

7. Weight Management: Engage in low-impact exercises like walking or swimming to reduce nerve strain.

8. Consider an Epidural Injection: Consult a doctor about epidural injections for long-term pain relief.

9. Medication: Take NSAIDs if recommended by a doctor to alleviate pain and inflammation safely.

How to Prevent Pinched Nerves

Once treated, a pinched nerve will likely go away unless the same body tissues press against the affected nerve again. Chronic compression may lead to permanent nerve damage, so it’s important to help take preventive measures when you can. You may be able to help prevent a pinched nerve in the following ways:

1. Lose weight. Obesity is a common risk factor for pinched nerves because excess body weight places undue pressure on your nerves. Talk to your doctor about how you can maintain a healthy weight in the long term.

2. Take breaks during repetitive activities. If your job requires repetitive hand and arm movements, such as using computers, construction, or assembly line work, try to stop and stretch the affected limb as often as possible. The same strategy may help with certain sports activities, such as tennis and baseball.

3. Take frequent movement breaks. Avoid sitting and lying down in one position for long periods to prevent excessive pressure against your nerves.

4. Maintain a good posture. This includes standing up tall with your shoulders rolled back, as well as engaging your core muscles to place less stress on your lower back. Avoid crossing your legs to help alleviate pressure in your lower limbs.

5. Add strength and flexibility exercises to your workout routine. Resistance bands, light hand weights, and yoga stretches can all help strengthen your bones, joints, and muscles.

When to See a Pinched Nerve Doctor

Having a compressed or pinched nerve is a reasonably common condition, but the symptoms can vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. If you are experiencing nerve-related symptoms, it is essential to pay attention to the severity of the symptoms to determine if they require medical attention. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

1. Pain that lasts for several days and worsens with time

2. Numbness or tingling that is accompanied by weakness in the affected area

3. Loss of sensation, muscle function, or coordination

4. Trouble performing tasks using the affected area due to pain or reduced mobility

5. Bladder or bowel incontinence

Having a compressed or pinched nerve is a reasonably common condition, but the symptoms can vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. If you are experiencing nerve-related symptoms, it is essential to pay attention to the severity of the symptoms to determine if they require medical attention. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

1. Chronic pain

2. Nerve damage

3. Permanent sensory loss

4. Paralysis

5. Lower quality of life/ mental health issues

Tips on Finding the Right Pinched Nerve Doctor Near Me

Finding the right medical care provider is important in healing a pinched nerve caused by a work injury. 

Sometimes, it may be best to start treatment with a physical therapist or chiropractor. Physical therapists can help patients develop stretching and strengthening exercises tailored to the individual’s needs, while chiropractors focus on adjusting joints and muscles to alleviate stress and improve function. While both approaches have proven effective treatments for pinched nerves, other options are worth considering.

For instance, seeing an orthopedic surgeon or neurologist may be necessary, depending on the severity of the injury. It’s important to remember that even if surgery is recommended, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee successful treatment for a pinched nerve. 

Any potential surgery should only be discussed with a trusted doctor once all other treatment methods have been exhausted. Additionally, seeing a mental health professional along with medical professionals is often beneficial for those suffering from long-term chronic pain due to their injury.

Ultimately, finding the proper medical care provider depends on the nature of the injury sustained and its severity. Those who have suffered a pinched nerve due to a work injury should research local doctors and ask questions about any recommended course of treatment before making any decisions. 

As part of this process, asking what alternative therapies may be available as adjunct treatments is important. With all the available options, there’s no reason proper healing shouldn’t be achieved with the right combination of therapy, medication, exercise, and lifestyle adjustments. With proper guidance from an experienced medical professional, patients can regain their mobility and experience improved quality of life within a reasonable amount of time.

No matter which type of medical provider you choose for your pinched nerve injury, it’s important to keep up with your rehabilitation exercises and listen to your body as you heal.  Taking advantage of alternative therapies such as massage therapy or yoga can help foster long-term recovery as you adjust your lifestyle.  The effort that you put into managing your pain now will lead to healthier habits that will carry into the future, leading you closer to optimal health down the road.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic

Cleveland Clinic

WebMD

Redefine Healthcare

Advance Reconstruction

Treating Pain

Healthline

Medical News Today

Reno Ortho

Doctor Wagner

Better Health Alaska

Aligned Modern Health

Sports Med Texas

Workers Comp Doctors

VISP Docs

Sunrise Chiropractic