Pinched Nerves – How Long Does A Pinched Nerve Take To Heal?

The good news is that pinched nerves often heal naturally with time. You can also speed up the recovery process by taking steps like applying heat therapy to relax tight muscles that may be pressing on the nerve.

As the healing process begins, you’ll notice that your tingling sensations reduce. This regaining of flexibility is not only a sign of healing but a marker that pressure on the nerve has diminished.

La Clinica may accelerate pinched nerve healing. Typically, recovery duration varies, contingent upon severity and treatment efficacy.”

Symptoms

Nerves transmit sensations from your brain to the rest of your body. They need a little bit of free space to do their job, so when they get pinched they become compressed and cause painful symptoms like tingling, numbness, or weakness. Symptoms depend on where the nerve is located.

The good news is that most people who seek treatment early will start to feel better within a few days. In addition to getting lots of sleep and taking over-the-counter pain relievers, a doctor will test

your reflexes, order an MRI or CT scan or perform a nerve test called electromyography (EMG) to check for proper function.

Your provider may also prescribe a course of physical therapy, ice and heat treatments, or

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and ease pain. If you do not experience relief after a few weeks, you should see a specialist. Delayed diagnosis and treatment increase the risk of permanent nerve damage.

Diagnosis

The most common symptom of a pinched nerve is pain, which can range from a constant ache to sharp jabbing sensations or that feeling of “pins and needles.”

Your doctor will examine your symptoms to find the underlying cause of your nerve compression. They may order an MRI to get a closer look at the nerves and the surrounding structures. An MRI provides critical information, including muscle density and atrophy and enhanced tissue characterization that improves diagnosis.

Most pinched nerves caused by mild trauma or poor posture skedaddle fairly quickly, particularly with some rest and simple pain relievers.

However, if you have a herniated disc, spondylolisthesis (SLE), or other severe conditions such as cauda equina syndrome, you may require medical treatment.

We work with specialists in orthopaedics, neurosurgery, rheumatology, and physiatry to create a holistic treatment plan that helps you regain the mobility and freedom of movement that you’re missing. As the healing process begins, you’ll notice a shift in your sensory symptoms.

What was once sharp and piercing will become a softer, throbbing ache that’s easier to manage and signals progress.

Treatment

Most mild cases of pinched nerves go away on their own, especially if you’re careful to rest the affected area and avoid activities that aggravate the pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs may help reduce inflammation and ease the pain and tingling.

If a pinched nerve causes severe symptoms, you might need more advanced treatment. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and may order imaging tests such as an X-ray or spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

These scans allow your doctor to see bone fractures, joint injuries or other problems that can cause a pinched nerve. Other tests, such as electromyography and a nerve conduction study, measure how well your nerves function.

In the most severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove part of the damaged vertebrae or other structures that are causing pressure on the nerve. Your care team will include specialists from orthopaedics, neurology, spine surgery, rheumatology and pain management.

Recovery

Most pinched nerves heal on their own with home treatment, rest and over-the-counter medications. If pain and other symptoms persist for weeks or become severe, seek medical attention.

A healthcare provider will perform a physical exam to assess your pain, reflexes and ability to move your muscles. They may recommend imaging tests like X-ray, CT scan or MRI to help them see the structures in your neck or back. They may also order other testing, including nerve conduction and electromyography to check for muscle weakness and confirm a pinched nerve is the cause of your symptoms.

Your doctor will prescribe NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen) or corticosteroids (by mouth or injection) to reduce inflammation and relieve pain around the nerve. They may also suggest using a cervical collar or splint to limit movement and use of the affected area.

If you’re wondering how long does a pinched nerve last know that physical therapy, stretching, and exercise can also aid in alleviating pressure on the affected nerve. These professional interventions strengthen the affected areas and surrounding tissues, alleviate pain, and promote healing to prevent recurrence.