For those who have had Pinched Nerves

Ruthanne

Ruthanne

Caregiver
Location
Midwest
After my doctor visit Doctor said I have a pinched nerve and I believe it's in the lower spine. Nothing is seeming to help cure it. I read it can be better in around 6 weeks. So far I've had this about 4 weeks now. I use ice, heating pad, I am taking naproxen, gabapentin, robaxin(just started it).

I am having a hard time walking so I got a cheap cane It helps but I don't like using it.

Has anyone had a pinched nerve? What did you do for it that helped??
 

I had one at the base of my spine many years ago. Every step shot hot burning pain down my leg. Besides a muscle relaxer prescription from ER, all I was told to do is rest and use a heating pad and it did indeed resolve itself. I've also had a few in my shoulder, but I just wait those out. I hope it will better for you real soon, Ruthanne!
 
Ruthanne said:
After my doctor visit Doctor said I have a pinched nerve and I believe it's in the lower spine. Nothing is seeming to help cure it. I read it can be better in around 6 weeks. So far I've had this about 4 weeks now. I use ice, heating pad, I am taking naproxen, gabapentin, robaxin(just started it).

I am having a hard time walking so I got a cheap cane It helps but I don't like using it.

Has anyone had a pinched nerve? What did you do for it that helped??
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I had pinched nerve around my neck that happened about 15 years ago. I went Chiropractor for about 2-1/2 months, twice a week. My primary doctor could not figure it out what causing this. Chiropractor did it and worked for my pinched nerve.

I have no idea Gabapentin helping on your issue. Gabapentin is for neuropathy, but what the doctor prescribed, try it.

btw, did the doctor X-ray and CT-scan to diagnose?
 

CallMeKate said:
I had one at the base of my spine many years ago. Every step shot hot burning pain down my leg. Besides a muscle relaxer prescription from ER, all I was told to do is rest and use a heating pad and it did indeed resolve itself. I've also had a few in my shoulder, but I just wait those out. I hope it will better for you real soon, Ruthanne!
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Thank you! I have had the same kind of pain. I also have had stabbing pains in my legs. I feel like resting and sleeping. I'll be glad when this resolves itself.
 
Amanda76 said:
I had pinched nerve around my neck that happened about 15 years ago. I went Chiropractor for about 2-1/2 months, twice a week. My primary doctor could not figure it out what causing this. Chiropractor did it and worked for my pinched nerve.

I have no idea Gabapentin helping on your issue. Gabapentin is for neuropathy, but what the doctor prescribed, try it.

btw, did the doctor X-ray and CT-scan to diagnose?
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No she didn't X-ray and that's what I wanted. The gabapentin is prescribed for neuropathy and anxiety. A different doctor prescribes it for me. It seems to help some.
 
There are a couple of yoga positions that help me immensely. The most effective position is called Cow. I maintain the Cow position for 10 to 15 minutes. The other is called Baby, I think. You simply lie on your back, feet together but relaxed, and your arms stretched up above your head. I also maintain that one for 10 to 15 minutes.

But my inversion table helps the most. I set it at an angle of 45 to 60 degrees, lock my feet in, and slowly raise my arms so it swings gently into position so I'm hanging head-down at the angle I set it for. I hang there for about 10 minutes, and for a solid 2 to 3 hours afterward, my spine feels practically band new.

These 2 methods decompress your spine so it can release the entrapped nerve. They also open up the spaces between each vertebrae to improve blood flow, and blood carries nutrients that support healing and strengthening directly to the vertebral discs and surrounding muscle tissues.

The meds you were prescribed help with pain and inflammation. These exercises help physically - opening up vertebral spaces so the nerve can be released, and correcting the alignment of your spine.
 
Ruthanne said:
After my doctor visit Doctor said I have a pinched nerve and I believe it's in the lower spine. Nothing is seeming to help cure it. I read it can be better in around 6 weeks. So far I've had this about 4 weeks now. I use ice, heating pad, I am taking naproxen, gabapentin, robaxin(just started it).
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Why robaxin? That is a muscle relaxant. Do they think it is due to muscle spams?

No PT being discussed?

I would not put much stock in the 6 week thing. Until you know what is pinching the nerve, and until you deal with that specifically, it can continue for months. Sometimes surgery is necessary, depending upon the cause.
 
I have a pinched nerve in my neck. The pain comes and goes at this point, thankfully not as bad as it was (knock on wood).

For the neck, I have to be very careful how I sleep and sit at the computer and make sure I am always looking down to some extent. I can't, for instance, look up at the sky --- tilt my head all the way back.

Massage has always been very helpful (I've had this for several years now) --- but massage is also expensive. Hot shower, or sitting in a spa help as well.

I don't know what it's like having it on the spine, tho I do get Sciatica from time to time. I sure hope you feel better soon!!!

55f7e2dcb0148096e1c2253e05b1bcb3 (1).jpg
 
Some years ago, I had sudden onset excruciating back pain that did not let up all day or night. I don't know if it was a pinched nerve or what set it off. I just now checked my records, and find that the doctor prescribed Diclofen Potassium (twice daily) and Cyclobenzapr 10 mg (3 times daily). He said these were intended for short term use, so I expected quick results, but it was more like 6 weeks before I was okay.

I had to edit this message twice for spelling errors - sorry. It should now be correct.
 
Medications do not "cure" a pinched nerve, they only help make you more comfortable while the issue resolves on its own.

To help the issue resolve on its own, you may need physical manipulation, either with a chiropractor or using at-home exercises. I mentioned some in my earlier post (#8).

Therapeutic massage is helpful, too. Just make sure to use a professional therapeutic masseuse. Someone who doesn't know what they're doing can make the issue worse.
 
Yoga does help, with guidance from a instructor. Once you're injured, it's too easy to make it worse if you don't use good form. Also depends if you can get on and off the floor. What helped me the most was to bend forward at the hips (keep back straight) to stretch out the back of the legs. They were too tight and caused my pelvis to tilt and pulling my spine out of alignment. 3 degenerated + 2 bulged discs 25 years ago.
 
debodun said:
Left groin 2 years ago. Went to PT for six weeks, twice a week. Eventually cleared - it probably would have anyway without PT.
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Yes, that's very likely.
debodun said:
She massaged me everywhere except where the pain was. I know it gave my checking account a workout since it wasn't covered by my insurance.
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PT is BS, in my virtually expert opinion. The only thing it does effectively is extract money from patients with resolvable, temporary issues.

Specialized PT for patients who have spinal injuries with severe nerve damage or are amputees IS generally quite effective, though.
 
I used to get chiropractic care when I had a pinched nerve but I can't anymore cuz of my bones. They fracture easy now. So I usually look on YouTube for exercise videos specific to my injury to do to help relieve my pain. And rest.

They really should've done an xray or something to get a look at what's going on rather than guessing.
 
Murrmurr said:
There are a couple of yoga positions that help me immensely. The most effective position is called Cow. I maintain the Cow position for 10 to 15 minutes. The other is called Baby, I think. You simply lie on your back, feet together but relaxed, and your arms stretched up above your head. I also maintain that one for 10 to 15 minutes.

But my inversion table helps the most. I set it at an angle of 45 to 60 degrees, lock my feet in, and slowly raise my arms so it swings gently into position so I'm hanging head-down at the angle I set it for. I hang there for about 10 minutes, and for a solid 2 to 3 hours afterward, my spine feels practically band new.

These 2 methods decompress your spine so it can release the entrapped nerve. They also open up the spaces between each vertebrae to improve blood flow, and blood carries nutrients that support healing and strengthening directly to the vertebral discs and surrounding muscle tissues.

The meds you were prescribed help with pain and inflammation. These exercises help physically - opening up vertebral spaces so the nerve can be released, and correcting the alignment of your spine.
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Thank you for your recommendations. That spine table sounds great. Where did you get it at? The yoga sounds good but I have a hard time with doing them for 15 minutes. I'm an antsy person. Thank you!
 
MarciKS said:
I used to get chiropractic care when I had a pinched nerve but I can't anymore cuz of my bones. They fracture easy now. So I usually look on YouTube for exercise videos specific to my injury to do to help relieve my pain. And rest.

They really should've done an xray or something to get a look at what's going on rather than guessing.
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Yes I agree about the X-ray. I'm not even sure if they have an X-ray machine at the small clinic I went to. I guess she guessed from my symptoms and all I told her. We'll see what happens next.
 
stretch5881 said:
Yoga does help, with guidance from a instructor. Once you're injured, it's too easy to make it worse if you don't use good form. Also depends if you can get on and off the floor. What helped me the most was to bend forward at the hips (keep back straight) to stretch out the back of the legs. They were too tight and caused my pelvis to tilt and pulling my spine out of alignment. 3 degenerated + 2 bulged discs 25 years ago.
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Thank you for your message ☺️
 
debodun said:
Left groin 2 years ago. Went to PT for six weeks, twice a week. Eventually cleared - it probably would have anyway without PT. She massaged me everywhere except where the pain was. I know it gave my checking account a workout since it wasn't covered by my insurance.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your message. I'll see how it goes.
 
CaliS said:
I have a pinched nerve in my neck. The pain comes and goes at this point, thankfully not as bad as it was (knock on wood).

For the neck, I have to be very careful how I sleep and sit at the computer and make sure I am always looking down to some extent. I can't, for instance, look up at the sky --- tilt my head all the way back.

Massage has always been very helpful (I've had this for several years now) --- but massage is also expensive. Hot shower, or sitting in a spa help as well.

I don't know what it's like having it on the spine, tho I do get Sciatica from time to time. I sure hope you feel better soon!!!

View attachment 485991
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Thank you for your message and hug! I like massage as well.
 

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