How To Deal With A Pinched Nerve in Your Lower Back

A pinched nerve can be a very painful and debilitating condition, and can vary in severity from one person to another. A pinched nerve is the result of a nerve that travels between the vertebrae being  compressed. There are many causes for this, for example, trauma to the back, degenerated discs or bone spurs.

A pinched nerve to the lower back can cause symptoms such as soreness, numbness, tingling or burning to the nerve path. If the back has been traumatized enough, it can cause the vertebral joint to become inflamed and the muscles of the back to tighten around the area.The lowest nerves that exit the back, extend through the legs down to the toes. So a pinched nerve in the lower back may only cause symptoms in the leg.

There are several treatments that can be used to help you deal with the pain associated with a pinched nerve of the lower back. However, before you undertake any treatments it is always best to check with your doctor first to make a proper diagnosis, and recommend an appropriate course of action.

Techniques designed to deal with a pinched nerve in your lower back should aim to help reduce the compression of the vertebrae through traction and realignment, to help the muscles loosen up and therefore lessen the pain and minimize the inflammation.

Apart from the professional care you may get, there are several steps you can take to lessen the effects of a pinched nerve for yourself. To start with a good mattress is very important.

Many of us hang onto our mattresses for far too long. The recommended life of a mattress is no more than 10 years. Most importantly you should find the right mattress for you. Consideration should be taken as to your height, weight, the way you sleep and any health issues such as a bad back.

A mattress that supports your body properly will help to relieve stress on the muscles and joints of the back. Many people think that if they have a bad back that a firm mattress is the answer. This is not necessarily true, and in some cases can do more harm than good. So some research and professional advice should be sought.

Many people are finding memory foam mattresses effective as they have the ability to compress, but then come back to their original shape. This means memory foam does not place nearly the same resistance on the joints.

Proper posture is very important when dealing with a pinched nerve of the lower back. This includes sitting as well as standing. So finding the right chair can make a big difference in alleviating your symptoms. It has been shown that at times you can put up to six times the pressure on your back when you sit compared to when you are lying down.

A good chair will be able to provide your lower back with proper lumbar support. A good ergonomic type of chair that allows for height and back adjustment can ease stress on the lower back. If obtaining a new chair is not an option, for example at work, consider an insert lumbar cushion which can give your back the support it needs.

For the relief of pain associated with a pinched nerve of the lower back, electric stimulation devices have proved  effective for some people. These block the same pain receptors that cause the nerves to irritate due to a pinched nerve.

A micro-current is passed through the affected area and has been shown to stimulate healing. Some devices can make the muscles contract when placed over a motor point of the muscle,  causing them to loosen up.

One simple treatment for a pinched nerve is an ice pack. This  needs to be administered within the first 72 hours of the condition. An ice pack can reduce the inflammation and numb the pain associated with a pinched nerve. It should not be used however, for more than 20 minutes at a time as it can tighten back muscles temporarily.

After 3 days when the swelling has had a chance to go down, hot packs are a useful way to increase circulation and thereby loosen up the muscles. They should not be used before this, as heat can increase inflammation. Moist heat seems to be better than dry, so a moist heat pack is preferable. Sitting in a whirlpool or jacuzzi is a great way to help the muscles relax. Combined with the moist warm heat, the massaging jets can all help to ease pinched nerve pain.

There are now many good over the counter topical analgesics for pain relief. Menthol is the active ingredient in many of them which helps block pain receptors and relieve pain in the soft tissue and joints. If the pain is very severe then professional help should be sort. Your doctor should be able to prescribe medication for temporary pain relief.

There are many health care professionals that you can go to, to help deal with a pinched nerve in your lower back such as a chiropractor or even consider an acupuncturist or physical therapist if self help methods do not help the condition. But it is worth remembering that pain is there for a reason, to tell you that something is wrong. So always consult your doctor first to decide on the best course of action.