Is a Pinched Nerve Keeping You from Your New Year’s Goals?

Symptoms of a pinched nerve can affect your quality of life and keep you from activities you enjoy. If last year was marked by frequent episodes of pain, tingling, or numbness, you can find the help you need at AABP Integrative Pain Care to prevent additional pinched nerve complications.

Our highly skilled pain management specialists understand the impact a pinched nerve can have on your daily routine. We offer advanced in-office diagnostics to identify a pinched nerve and its root cause quickly.

The medical team takes a proactive approach to managing existing pinched nerve symptoms and provides resources to reduce the risk of future nerve-related complications.

Why you have a pinched nerve

A pinched nerve occurs when pressure is applied to a nerve, a fibrous structure that transmits electrical signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

Nerve pressure can stem from:

• Cysts
• Tumors
• Bone spurs
• Inflamed tissue
• Herniated discs
• Overexertion or repetitive use

People who are obese or have underlying conditions like arthritis and diabetes may also be susceptible to a pinched nerve and at a higher risk for permanent nerve damage.

Recognizing warning signs of a pinched nerve

Symptoms of a pinched nerve vary from person to person based on the type of nerve involved and the severity of pressure on the nerve.

Symptoms can appear anywhere in the body where the pinched nerve is located and include:

• Numbness
• Tingling sensations
• Aching or burning pain
• Sharp, stabbing pain
• Muscle weakness

If you experience these symptoms frequently or if they are intense enough to affect your mobility, our pain management specialists can help. We offer comprehensive physical exams, nerve function studies, and other tests to confirm a pinched nerve and rule out other conditions.

Treatment options for pinched nerve symptoms

In the early stages of a pinched nerve, home care and lifestyle changes are often enough to manage related symptoms. Initially, rest, ice, or heat therapy, and gentle stretching exercises can relieve tension in the body that contributes to pinched nerve symptoms.

If pain, tingling, and other symptoms persist, our team customizes a care plan using corticosteroid injections or epidural steroid injections, so you can move freely and without pain.

In severe cases, when a pinched nerve keeps you from work or other activities, our team may recommend minimally invasive procedures, such as radiofrequency ablation, to destroy a dysfunctional or permanently damaged nerve.

Don’t let history repeat itself

People who experience a pinched nerve episode are more likely to develop the issue again, especially if they’re not making necessary lifestyle changes.

Our medical team can recommend strategies to help prevent recurring pinched nerve episodes based on your unique health needs and challenges.

In general, you can use the following tips to prevent the recurrence of a pinched nerve and its symptoms:

1. Be mindful of overexertion

If you engage in work, sports, or hobbies that involve repetitive movements, pay attention to your body's signals. Stop and rest when you feel pain.

It’s also helpful to take frequent breaks when repeating specific movements, such as typing on a computer or swinging a tennis racket, to prevent inflammation that triggers a pinched nerve.

2. Build up your strength

Our medical experts can recommend safe, gentle exercises to strengthen your muscles and increase joint flexibility.

With a regular exercise program, you can significantly reduce your risk for a pinched nerve, especially if a lack of activity plays a role in nerve compression.

3. Practice good posture

Slouching, crossing your legs, or lying in the same position for too long can put unnecessary pressure on your spinal and peripheral nerves.

Pay attention to how you hold and move your body, and resolve to practice a healthier, more aligned posture in the new year.

Call AABP Integrative Pain Care in Brooklyn, New York, today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation of pinched nerve symptoms. You can also book an appointment online.