There are many options when it comes to spinal pinched nerve treatment. Choosing the right methods to relieve symptoms of a compressed nerve may involve some trial and error; the therapies that work for one person may not work for another. This is why being an informed patient who is active in the treatment process is so important.

By having a better understanding of all options available, you can work more closely with your doctor to develop a treatment regimen and have more confidence about giving feedback regarding its effectiveness.

Conservative treatments

Typically, most pinched nerve treatment begins with conservative nonsurgical methods. The goal of these conventional treatments is to relieve symptoms, improve mobility and make lifestyle changes that help to relieve pressure on the spine. Commonly recommended options include:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Pain medication
• Physical therapy
• Low-impact exercise
• Posture improvement
• Corticosteroid injections

This type of treatment is effective for many patients who are dealing with a pinched nerve, letting them return to a full life of normal, comfortable activity.

Alternative treatments

While conservative pinched nerve treatment could significantly reduce your discomfort, you may also choose to explore complementary and alternative medicine treatments. While these types of treatments fall outside the medical mainstream, many patients report positive results from attempting a regimen of alternative therapies either alone or combined with conservative treatments. Some of the most common of these treatments include massage, acupuncture, acupressure, aromatherapy, yoga and chiropractic adjustments.

When to consider surgery

It’s expected that a period of trial and error will be necessary to help you find just the right combination of pinched nerve treatment methods to help you manage symptoms. Keep an open line of communication between you and your doctor and be sure to note what therapies improve or worsen your discomfort. If your symptoms persist after several weeks or months, surgery may become an option.

If your doctor has asked you to think about surgery to treat a pinched nerve but you have concerns about the highly invasive nature of traditional open spine procedures, consider the minimally invasive spine surgery offered at USA Spine Care. Since 2005 we have helped more than 75,000 patients get their lives back with outpatient procedures that offer less risk of complication and a shorter recovery time compared to traditional open spine surgery.^{^}

Contact us today for a no-cost MRI review* to determine if you are a potential candidate for one of our procedures.

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