Nerves control various body functions such as sleep, body temperature, healing and recovery, growth and development of the brain, learning, perception, and digestion. However, a pinched nerve harms the ability of the nervous system to play those roles. Although a compressed nerve can be painful and temporary, in some cases, it can cause permanent sensory harm or degeneration. Thus you may experience random muscle movement, behavioral or memory changes, coordination and movement problems, and slurred speech. There are various risk factors for a pinched nerve, which is why it is crucial to understand how you can resolve the issue on your own, to avoid escalation, which may require peripheral nerve surgery San Bernardino.
1. Get enough sleep
Sleep experts advise that you get uninterrupted sleep for more than 7 hours every night. As you sleep, the body finds time to rest, which is necessary for repairing and rejuvenating itself. Sleeping for more hours translates into more time for healing and recovering your compressed nerve.
Sleeping and resting ensure no overusing of your nerve and, therefore, no worsening of the condition and its symptoms. Movements further inflame the compressed nerve.
2. Avoid poor posture
A poor sitting, resting, or standing posture can cause a compressed nerve and worsen it. That mainly happens when you assume an unhealthy posture for a long time, leading to the exertion of too much stress on your body. In return, it triggers a compressed nerve.
Sit in an adjustable chair or use cushions and neck and backrests to relieve body stress and promote nerve healing.
3. Adopt an ergonomically correct workstation
The arrangement of your chairs, desks, computers, and other things should be within your reach and allow easy use. In an ergonomically correct workstation, a better posture occurs when you stand, sit, or lie down.
Proper workstation ergonomics benefits may include:
- Keep your bones and joints aligned because there is no muscle harm during use.
- Reduce the unusual wear and tear of your joint surfaces and thus safeguard you against arthritis.
- Alleviate stress on spinal ligaments.
- Protect the spinal cord against assuming an unhealthy position.
4. Change your lifestyle
Adopting and maintaining simple lifestyle changes can help reduce stress and keep your body in the best possible shape. Regularly carry out low-impact aerobic exercises, including walking, stationary bicycling, and swimming. Exercising improves your mobility and coordination and can alleviate nerve pain and swelling.
If you are obese or overweight, plan for weight loss. Your body’s extra weight puts more pressure on your nerves, leading to a pinched nerve.
5. Elevation of legs
Elevation of the legs when you have a pinched nerve can help take pressure away from your spine. Elevate your legs by placing pillows or a pillow under the knees. The legs should assume an angle of 45 degrees to your body.
These remedies may not always be effective, especially if nerve pinching persists longer and results in permanent damage. Therefore, you should immediately seek specialist treatment when you notice signs and symptoms of a compressed nerve.
Visit Ali H. Mesiwala, MD, FAANS today for a conservative or surgical approach to treating pinched nerves.
