What Are the Treatments for Spinal Nerve Damage?

A person can suffer spinal nerve damage with conditions such as spinal stenosis or a herniated disc. Spinal nerves often get pinched between vertebrae, causing inflammation and pain. Treatments include rest, ice, heat, medication and exercise.

Significance

• Nerve damage cannot be cured, according to doctors at Web.md. What's more, the pain can get progressively worse without treatment. Consult your doctor soon after you experience nerve pain symptoms such as sciatica or radiating pain down your legs.

Types of Treatment

• Spinal nerve damage requires a period of rest away from physical activities. During this time, one should use a back brace when they need to be mobile. This will help prevent further injury. Also, use ibuprofen or naproxen to control swelling and pain.

Other Types of Treatment

• People with spinal nerve damage should use ice the first few days after the onset of symptoms. Ice can help minimize the initial swelling and pain by limiting blood flow to the spinal area. Later, heating pads can increase blood flow, which carries oxygen and nutrients for alleviating nerve damage.

Effects of Exercise

• Once the initial inflammation is reduced, exercise can help increase blood flow to damaged nerves and help relax nerves and muscles. It also increases lower back strength, adding stability.

Time Frame

• There is no set time frame for improving nerve pain. Those who are more proactive in treating their sypmtoms generally have more success in controlling their symptoms.