Pinched nerve – Causes and ways to relief

One wrong move and it’s done – you’ve pinched a nerve. We will tell you what you can do about it now and how you can prevent it.

Stabbing and burning pain as well as a restricted musculoskeletal system – if you have pinched a nerve , it can hurt quite a bit! If you then experience tingling and numbness, you should act quickly. But how? We’ll tell you everything you need to know about a pinched nerve.

Also interesting: lumbago – how to treat lower back pain >>

What is a “pinched nerve”?

Even if it sounds like you actually have your nerve pinched between two bones – the “pinched nerve” is more colloquial. Rather, it is the dysfunction or irritation of a nerve . This is triggered by the pressure that the surrounding tissue exerts on the nerve. If something presses on the nerve, it is not only painful, but also has a major impact on our musculoskeletal system . After all, it is the nerves that send movement signals from our body parts to the brain.

What causes a pinched nerve?

A pinched nerve can have different causes. Muscle hardening is usually the reason. This can be caused by an incorrect sleeping position, incorrect posture or incorrect movements during sports. But more serious causes such as a herniated disc can also trigger the pain.

Physical signs of a pinched nerve

If you have pinched a nerve, the usually stabbing and burning pain is not long in coming. The cause of this is the muscle tissue around the nerve, which hardens and spasms. In most cases, the ability to move is severely restricted and numbness and tingling sensations develop.

In particularly serious cases, vomiting, nausea or dizziness can also occur – depending on where the nerve is pinched. In fact, a pinched nerve most commonly affects the back. But you can also pinch a nerve in your shoulders, arms or hips.

treatment options

  • Relax your muscles with massage and targeted kneading.
  • Light gymnastic exercises or gentle yoga units stretch the affected muscles and thus help to alleviate the symptoms. Breathe in and out deeply.
  • If a muscle hardening is the reason for the pinched nerve, heat works wonders. It also relaxes the muscles and calms the nerves. A hot bath can also help.
  • Do not completely rest the affected body part in order to avoid poor posture . Any movement that does not cause pain is allowed.
  • Try to avoid jerky movements and always move carefully.
By the way: In most cases you can relieve your symptoms yourself. However, if there is no improvement, you should consult a doctor immediately . They can prescribe massages and other physiotherapeutic measures for you. Acupuncture can also help alleviate the symptoms.

Pinched nerve: how can I prevent it?

In many cases, it can be prevented so that you don’t get a pinched nerve in the first place. These 5 tips will help:

  1. Avoid being overweight, as this puts strain on the muscles and promotes the development of a pinched nerve.
  2. Sports activities, yoga and meditation help you to reduce stress and tension.
  3. You can also prevent it with a healthy posture. The basis for this is strong back and abdominal muscles, which you can train with exercises.
  4. Especially in the home office , make sure that you work in a way that is easy on your back.

Crystal Waston MD

Crystal Waston has a degree in Cross Media Production and Publishing. At vital.de she gives everyday tips and deals with topics related to women's health, sport, and nutrition.

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