Pinched nerves usually bring a great deal of pain to people who experience them. If you are one of them, you would know how it can take you aback from your daily routine, as it’s a reasonably tricky pain to ignore. However, there’s no denying that your days will be affected unless you find the leading cause of the pinched nerve and do something about it.

If pinched nerves are something new to you, you may experience confusion or even panic if you’re the worrying type. But a pinched nerve is not life-threatening. However, your pinched nerve can significantly affect your quality of life and potentially progress to permanent nerve damage if left ignored.

The good news is you can manage pinched nerves naturally. If you’re not a big fan of medication or invasive procedures, there are ways you can do to find the natural relief for pinched nerves in Decatur that works best for your needs.

Natural relief for pinched nerves

A pinched brings a painful, tingling sensation or numbness due to pressure and stress on a nerve. When a part of the nerve gets compressed, it cannot correctly send periodic signals to the brain. To help it function again, you will need to relieve the pressure on the nerve.

Pinched nerves are manageable with proper care. Most of those who experience pinched nerves can fully recover. Either their condition resolved on its own, or they were able to find effective natural relief for pinched nerves in Decatur. Most pinched nerve cases last for a few days, but in some cases, they can linger between four (4) to six (6) weeks. If the pain stays longer, you must consult a doctor before your condition worsens. However, if you think your pain is still manageable, you can try these natural ways to relieve your discomfort:

#1. Maintain proper posture

Your posture matters in keeping your spine healthy. Pay attention to your posture when sitting or standing. Also, make sure your neck is in a neutral position when sleeping. There is also a good sleeping posture that you must consider. When you have a pinched nerve, sometimes adjusting your body position or posture can provide some relief.

To practice good posture, avoid slouching, don’t round your shoulders forward, and avoid standing or putting more weight on one leg. Crossing the same leg when sitting down can lead to imbalances over time, bending the neck forward, or improper lifting techniques.

If you work at a desk or drive long hours, good back support is necessary. Use ergonomic chairs or back pillows that support your lower back and neck. It will also help keep your computer screens at eye level and not stress your neck.

#2. Alternate warm and cold compress

If you notice inflammation in the affected area, you can alternate warm and cold compress, whichever is necessary. This is also called contrast therapy, when you use ice and heat alternately to reduce inflammation and encourage healthy blood flow into the affected area.

To get started, apply a cold or iced pack to the swollen area, and after 72 hours, you can use a warm compress to relieve the pressure. Doing this can help speed up healing and achieve pain relief.

#3. Do some yoga and light exercises

Yoga and other light exercises can help loosen your tight muscles, which adds to the pressure that contributes to your pinched nerve. Stretching between work or a long drive can also wake up and engage your dormant muscles. A few light stretching dailies and even a short yoga routine may help relieve the pressure and discomfort in the affected nerve area. However, make sure you go easy at first, and you must remain careful not to overly stretch, as this may worsen the symptoms and increase your risk for more irritation to an already inflamed area.

#4. Rest

Rest is necessary for your overall health. For example, when there is a pinched nerve in your back or neck, getting some rest or sleeping can help you avoid putting more stress and pain in the affected parts and help you get back on your feet faster.

Restful sleep is vital to your overall healing process. In some cases, a compressed nerve can naturally heal on its own when you allow your body to rest. When you can tolerate the pain, you can rest and sleep to let the affected nerve heal on its own.

#5. Use a splint

When you think it’s necessary and possible, you can place a splint on the area of the pinched nerve to temporarily immobilize that part and let the nerve heal on its own. For example, you can try using a splint when there’s a pinched nerve in the wrist to help prevent further damage. You can also try using a neck brace to avoid several movements if the pinched nerves are in the neck area.

#6. Seek chiropractic care

Several patients visit a chiropractor to address a pinched nerve. This is because your nerves and spine are somehow connected. Keeping your spine aligned and balanced can help prevent issues related to pinched nerves, especially if a movement or misalignment in your bone is the main reason for the compression of the affected nerve.

If your nerve remains pinched even after trying out some of the natural remedies we mentioned, you may need to hold off movement on the affected area. This is to avoid further damage to the affected nerve. You may also use this time to visit a chiropractic doctor to observe and assess the condition and plan the proper approach moving forward.

Chiropractic doctors like Dr. O’Brien are trained and experienced in using different techniques to align your vertebrae. Once your bones return to their proper alignment, they relieve the pressure from the affected nerve area, allowing the pinched nerve to heal.

A trusted chiropractor who provides natural relief for pinched nerves in Decatur

Doctors of Chiropractic correct the underlying musculoskeletal problems to promote natural healing of your body and recovery. Your chiropractor will assess any alignment issues in your bones to understand the exact issue. Every adjustment done is personal and individualized because every case is different.

As for the pinched nerve, improvement likewise increases with each session depending on the patient. To get started with your specific chiropractic care plan for a pinched nerve, you can visit us in our office. To book your appointment with Dr. Stephanie O’Brien, you may call our office at 404-370-8050 or fill out our online contact form via our website.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. O’Brien, call our Decatur office at 404-370-8050. You can also click the button below.