Logan Voss
A pinched nerve is when pressure from a slipped disk presses on a nerve, sending signals to the brain resulting in symptoms like pain, tingling, or numbness. When you’re trying to recover from a pinched nerve, it can take weeks or months to relieve any symptoms. It’ll take a combination of efforts to return the nerve back to its pain-free existence. Explore these tips for recovering from a pinched nerve.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is essential for nerves to heal. Our bodies heal themselves as they sleep, and by giving yourself plenty of time to rest, you might be able to help yourself reduce pinched nerve symptoms faster. In less severe cases, resting the affected area alongside over-the-counter medication might be all you need to get the nerve to heal on its own. But for instances that are more painful or longer-lasting, you’ll need to take more steps.
Ergonomic Workstation
Posture affects pinched nerves significantly, so adjusting your workstation can help. There are benefits to investing in an ergonomic office chair, like better lumbar support and adjustability. There are also ergonomic keyboards and mice that help to limit pressure on your hands and wrists. Ensuring your computer monitor is at eye level will help heal problems with neck pain.
Stretching and Yoga
There are a lot of pinched nerve in neck exercise to choose from. Stretching and yoga can also help take pressure off the pinched nerve. Low-impact exercise can help promote circulation to the area, and losing some weight can help take pressure off nerves. But be careful not to stretch too deeply, or you’ll damage the nerve even more. Physical therapy, in conjunction with a chiropractor, can be helpful as well. A physical therapist can teach you stretches and better posture for doing everyday tasks to correct bad postural habits.
These tips for recovering from a pinched nerve can work immediately for some, but for others, it might take a while to recover fully.
