How Massage Therapy Can Help With a Pinched Nerve

85 out of 100,000 adults experience pinched nerves, or cervical radiculopathy, every year. While there are several ways to care for a pinched nerve, massage therapy is among the best.

If you have a pinched nerve, the pressure from a massage can help to soothe it and provide pain relief. A massage can help relieve tension, promote circulation, and reduce pain and inflammation in the body.

In this guide, we’ll tell you more about how massage therapy can help with a pinched nerve.

What Is a Pinched Nerve?

A “pinched nerve” is an informal term that refers to damage to a nerve or set of nerves. It’s also known as a “compressed nerve” or cervical radiculopathy.

A pinched nerve develops because of damage to the vertebral bone or the disk along the spine. It occurs because too much pressure has been applied to the area by surrounding tissues. This could include bones, muscles, cartilage, or tendons that have pressed on the nerve and begun to cause pain and discomfort.

In addition to the pain, the compression of the nerve can cause tingling or numbness and can generally make it feel weak.

There are many areas of the body where a pinched nerve could appear. While most of these areas relate to the neck, upper middle back, or lower back, a pinched nerve can occur in the hand, elbow, or wrist instead. On the wrist, this is known as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Pinched Nerve Symptoms

So what exactly does a pinched nerve feel like and how does it affect the body? A pinched nerve may lead to the following symptoms:

• Numbness or tingling in a specific area of the body
• Limbs often fall asleep and have the feeling of “pins and needles”
• Dull or sharp radiating pain that feels like it’s spreading outwards
• A feeling that muscles have gotten weaker

These are some of the symptoms that you’re most likely to experience when you have a pinched nerve.

Often, a pinched nerve will go away on its own within 4-6 weeks. However, if it lasts a long time or if you need relief sooner, then you may want to speak with a doctor and get special treatment.

In many cases, massage therapy can be a good solution and can help to treat the pain and aid recovery.

Can Massage Therapy Provide Relief?

The extent to which a massage can help with a pinched nerve depends on what caused it.

One cause of pinched nerves is spinal problems. A herniated disk is a spinal problem that could lead to a pinched nerve, for example.

Alternatively, pinched nerves can also occur due to tightness in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Poor posture, repetitive motions, or a repetitive strain injury (RSI) can also lead to pinched nerves.

For both types of pinched nerves, massage therapy can work wonders and can help you get significant relief.

If your condition is caused by tight muscles and soft tissue problems, repeated visits can help your body to fully heal itself over the course of weeks or months.

On the other hand, if your pinched nerve is caused by spinal problems, then a massage can help provide relief, but it may not fully heal your body or fix the underlying issue, such as a herniated disk.

Should You Ask Your Doctor About Massage Therapy?

It’s essential to speak with your doctor about getting massage therapy to ensure that it’s a good choice for your condition.

Consulting with your doctor can help you determine the best course of action for your physical health. They may recommend that you get massage therapy to help with the pinched nerve or they may recommend other methods.

A doctor can help guide you on whether massage therapy is the best choice based on your specific pinched nerve, its cause, and its location.

Best Types of Massage for a Pinched Nerve

When getting massage therapy for a pinched nerve, you’ll generally want to get a Swedish massage. In this type of massage, the massage therapist will use a small to medium amount of pressure and will make long gliding strokes to relax the muscles in your body. 

Generally, it’s best to have a 45-60 minute massage in order to experience adequate relaxation. It’s also important that the massage you get for your pinched nerve is gentle and that the massage therapist doesn’t apply too much pressure.

In many cases, a deep tissue massage will be too intense for the treatment of a pinched nerve. However, a deep-tissue massage could be a good choice in some cases. It may work well if the pinched nerve is located in the lower back or nearby where more pressure will be needed to offer relaxation. 

Making the Decision to Get Massage Therapy

If you’re thinking about getting massage therapy for a pinched nerve, be sure to speak with your doctor first. A Swedish massage or deep tissue massage may be helpful in healing your pinched nerve and providing relief, but it’s not always the right choice.

Additionally, be sure to speak with your massage therapist beforehand to ensure that they understand your specific needs and reason for getting a massage.

Do you need massage therapy in Omaha? Book an appointment online or give us a call at (402) 384-8400 to benefit from some of these amazing results.