A pinched nerve can happen playing sports or doing yard work. If your nerve pain is caused by a sore muscle, it will likely heal itself within a few days of rest and over-the-counter pain medication. However, if your pain continues or worsens, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor to determine the cause of your pain. If you are experiencing nerve pain caused by a spine condition, your doctor can help you find the best treatment options for pain relief so you can get back to your active lifestyle.
Nerve pain from spinal compression often comes with other symptoms that affect daily life. Whether caused by injury, muscle strain, or a spine condition, the symptoms are usually similar. Common signs include:
One of the most common causes of nerve pain is a degenerative spine condition. These conditions are often the result of the natural aging process of the spine and are sometimes unavoidable. As the spine ages and endures years of constant movement and other pressures, the stress on the vertebrae and discs increases and can cause them to wear down. Some of the most common degenerative spine conditions include:
The first step to treating nerve pain is to find the location and cause. Nerve pain is sometimes difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can travel far away from the actual location of the pinched nerve. For example, a pinched nerve in the neck can travel through the shoulder and into the arm and hand. In some cases, the pain may only appear in the arm or hand and not in the neck.
However, most doctors will perform a physical exam to test for pinched nerves along the spine. A physical exam, sometimes accompanied by an MRI or CT scan, can help your doctor determine if you have a degenerative spine condition that is compressing a nerve, which is often the most common cause of chronic nerve pain.
Once the doctor identifies the cause of your nerve pain, the next step is to begin a treatment plan focused on pain relief. Many patients achieve lasting relief through nonsurgical options such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, pain medication, massage therapy, yoga or exercise, and weight management. If these treatments do not provide sufficient relief after several weeks or months, you may be a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery. This advanced approach offers a safer and more effective alternative to traditional open back surgery, often with a shorter recovery time.
If these treatments do not provide effective pain relief after several weeks or months, you may be a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery. Our approach to the spine allows our patients to experience a safer and effective alternative to traditional open back surgery and a shorter recovery time.
