- How long does a pinched nerve last ?
- Home remedies
- See your doctor
- Medical treatment
- Risk factors
- Prevention
- Takeaway
A pinched nerve may last from several days up to up to 6 weeks, or, in some instances, it can last for a longer time (in the latter case, you must consult with your doctor).
With the sharp discomfort and numbness that pinched nerves could cause, it’s not surprising that you’d want to take action to relieve the issue as fast as possible.
Pinched nerves are caused by pressure from the surrounding tissues that stress them excessively.
The muscles, bones, cartilage, tendons, and muscles may all be pressed against nerves. It could result in loss of function for the nerve affected.
This could cause symptoms such as:
- A sharp pain that feels like a burning sensation
- Apathy
- tingling
- Muscle weakness
The treatment of a pinched nerve is vital for your recovery time. More severe cases may require surgery.
If you think you may have nerve pinched, then read this article to find out the steps you can do now to ease the pain and what you can anticipate as you heal.
How long can a pinched nerve take?
The length of time that a nerve gets pinched can depend on whether you seek immediate treatment and the cause of pressure on the nerve.
The recovery rate can also differ based on the site of the nerve that is pinched.
In general, it is possible that a brief condition of a pinched nerve that has an immediate cause, like an accident or poor posture, can last for a few days.
Patients suffering from chronic illnesses such as arthritis can take longer to heal. If this is the case, you must consult with your physician for an appropriate treatment strategy.
Here’s what you can expect from a pinched nerve affecting different parts of your body.
Neck
The pinched nerve in the neck could result in tingling and pain that can extend into your arms and shoulders.
This nerve pinched can result from:
- injuries
- repetitive motions
- Sleeping position
The pain is usually relieved after a couple of days unless the pinched nerve results from a chronic disease such as arthritis.
Lower Back
The pinched nerve located in the lower back can be linked to herniated discs, which squeeze nerve roots in this region. It can result from injuries or arthritis.
You might feel an acute tenderness in your lower back and your buttocks, and the back part of your leg. Sciatica may be a symptom of nerve pain within your back.
Lower back pain could be severe, lasting just several days. If a pinched nerve doesn’t disappear, it could cause persistent back pain that lasts for 12 weeks or more.
Leg
Your legs could be affected by pinched nerves caused by discs that have ruptured in your back or injury.
If untreated, pinched nerves may cause peripheral neuropathy. It can occur over some weeks or even decades.
Hip
A painful hip joint can last for several days if an injury causes it.
If pain persists for more than two days, you should see your physician.
The causes of chronic hip pain include:
- arthritis
- obesity
- bone spurs
Shoulder
The pain in your shoulder from pinched nerves usually begins in the upper part of your spine due to:
- An injury
- arthritis
- tendinitis
One method to determine whether the source of your pain is a pinched nerve and not from a muscle strain is the abrupt sharpness of the pain. The pain can also be experienced in only one shoulder.
If left untreated, arthritis or tendinitis in the shoulder can cause chronic pain that may be present and gone for months, weeks, or even years.
Wrist
Typing is often associated with pinched nerves in the wrist.
Nerves that are pinched in the wrist can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. This can be a sign of discomfort and numbness that extends over your fingers and hands.
A persistent pain lasting more than two months could signify an underlying problem like arthritis.
What are some natural solutions for pinched nerves?
Treatment for a pinched or tingling nerve begins with home remedies that aid in relieving:
- Pain
- Apathy
- overall discomfort
The earlier you can treat a nerve injury, the faster you’ll recuperate.
Here are some home solutions you can test right now:
- Heat or ice pads can be used for 15 minutes to an hour to treat inflammation and pain.
- Resting the affected area
- available over-the-counter pain medicines that are available over-the-counter, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) or Acetaminophen
- Light stretches are applied to the affected area to promote blood flow and circulation.
- You can adjust your posture and sleep posture.
When should I visit my doctor?
It is possible to relieve a pinched nerve at home and not require other treatment in many instances.
However, you should consult your physician if:
•The symptoms will last longer than the duration of a few days.
•The symptoms you are experiencing are severe.
• The nerve pain that is pinched continues to come back.
Your doctor is likely to request imaging tests, for example, the CT scan, MRI scanner, even X-rays. They can determine the severity of nerve injury and any problems in the surrounding tissues.
What are the possible treatment options for pinched nerves?
The need for medical treatment is possible to treat severe nerve pains which don’t respond to natural therapies. If necessary, your doctor might prescribe more potent NSAIDs or corticosteroids to lessen the pain and inflammation.
Other treatments for nerve pain can are:
• Physical therapy relieves irritating nerves and affects your mobility, such as those in the shoulders, lower back, or neck. A physical therapist will guide you through exercises and stretches that you can perform in the office or at home to reduce the pressure on your nerves and ease the pain.
• For your wrist, splints or cervical collars for your neck can help assist with mobility issues in these areas while you recover.
• It is a last resort treatment, particularly when the nerve has been permanently damaged.
Surgery is the most commonly used procedure for pinched nerves resulting from spinal problems; however, it can also be utilized in other situations like carpal tunnel syndrome.
What are the most likely causes of pinched nerves?
The incidence of pinched nerves is around 85 of 100,000 people annually. They can be more familiar with age due to tissue changes like arthritis and bone degeneration.
The other risk variables that may create the compression that can lead to pinched nerves can include:
- obesity
- pregnancy
- repetitive tasks, for example, doing sports or using keyboards
- accidents and injuries
- extended sleep
- bone spurs
- Diabetes
- thyroid disease
What can I do to prevent nerve pain?
After treatment by a doctor, a pinched nerve is likely to disappear unless the same tissues of your body press against the nerve in the future.
A chronic compression could cause permanent damage to nerves;
therefore, it’s crucial to take preventive measures as often as possible.
It is possible to stop nerve pain in these ways:
• Reduce weight. Obesity is a typical cause of nerve irritation because weight gain puts excessive pressure on your nerves. Discuss ways to maintain your weight at a healthy level in the long term with your doctor.
• Take breaks when you are engaged in routine tasks. If your job demands repetitive hand and arm movements, like using computers, construction, and assembly line tasks, you should try to rest and stretch the affected limb as frequently as you can. The same approach can be helpful in certain sports, like baseball or tennis.
• It will help if you take frequent breaks for movement. Avoid sitting and lying in one position for prolonged periods to avoid putting too much tension on your nerves.
• Maintain a proper position. This includes standing up straight with your shoulders back, rolling up, and working your core muscles to put less pressure on your back. Don’t cross your legs to relieve stress on your lower leg muscles.
• Include flexibility and strength exercises into your routine of exercise. Resistance bands, lighter hand weights, and yoga stretches all can strengthen your joints, bones, and muscles.
The takeaway
Depending on the area and severity, a swollen nerve can be felt for a few hours or even perhaps longer than that.
In the most severe instances, repeated nerve compression can cause permanent damage to the nerve.
Discuss with your physician If you have an injury to your nerve that keeps returning or lasts more than a few days.
The doctor may recommend tests to find the root reasons for the compression of your nerve and provide you with the best treatment options to avoid permanent damage.