Can Massages Help Relieve a Pinched Nerve?

Summary: Suffering from chronic pain due to pinched nerves? There are various therapeutic alternatives you can turn to.

Pinched nerves are one of those nagging types of pains that tend to go away after causing you all sorts of discomfort. These nuances can happen to anyone with a variety of underlying causes like predisposed genetics or overworking some of the muscles in the body. Realistically, there isn’t much you can do to protect yourself from getting a pinched nerve, but there are various forms of treatment.

Mild, Moderate, Severe

Although it is most common in the back, neck, and shoulders, pinched nerves can occur nearly anywhere in the body and vary in severity. Mild pinched nerves usually dissipate after a few minutes or even seconds. It’s the type of slight pain that tends to pulsate after a brief “shock-like” feeling. Moderate cases tend to last much longer and can go on for even months. People tend to utilize chiropractic care or undergo a full body massage to help relieve and minimize the pain level. In severe cases, most people opt for surgery to keep the problem from reoccurring on a consistent basis.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a fantastic option for relieving the pain associated with a pinched nerve because it helps rid of excess muscle tension, which may be the cause of the pressure. Depending on the amount of pain that you are in, it’s likely that you want to vary your options. Massage establishments offer different types of massage styles. It’s important that you understand what each style of massage offers for your body before immediately signing up. For instance, if you have a sensitive back, you’ll want to avoid a deep tissue massage and go for a standard Swedish massage instead. Remember, you can delegate which area you want your therapist to focus on. Communicating beforehand can help make the process more efficient.

Chiropractic Care

When the pinched nerve is caused by either joint or bone issues, like a herniated disk for example, a great option is chiropractic care. Spinal adjustments are extremely beneficial for those that suffer from a pinched nerve and can’t seem to shake the pain that follows. Many times, chiropractic care can relieve the pressure causing the pain by repositioning the bone and relaxing the muscles to reduce the overall tension. If you are opting for surgery, you should consider turning to chiropractic care beforehand as an invasive procedure is the last thing you’ll want.