When bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons apply too much pressure to a surrounded nerve, a pinched nerve can occur. The resulting feeling from the disrupted pressure can include pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness. Carpal tunnel syndrome is actually caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist that leads to numbness and pain in the hand and fingers. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed to relieve pain from a pinched nerve. Luckily, there are treatments that can relieve the pain in less extreme cases relatively quickly, but it is important to rest as well to ensure a speedy recovery.

For pinched nerve cases, such as early stage carpal tunnel syndrome, a physical therapist will have to evaluate the condition to ensure proper treatment takes place. After an evaluation, the physical therapist will work on educating the patient on how to improve their neck and upper back posture, wrist positions, and encourage breaks throughout the day to stretch the affected area.

The physical therapist will also be able to provide exercises to increase the flexibility and strength of the muscles in the hand, fingers, forearm, and postural back muscles. Cold and heat treatments may also be used by a physical therapist to reduce pain of a pinched nerve. Other forms of treatment include oral corticosteroids to reduce swelling and pain, narcotics to reduce severe pain in short periods of time, steroid injections to allow recovery for inflamed nerves, and the use of a splint will be able to limit the motion of and allow rest to muscles.

It is important to seek professional help from a physical therapist if pain persists in order to diagnose the problem and create a plan to reduce pain in the future. Please feel free to contact or visit Advance Physical Therapy today to start your journey to a healthier life!

Did you know that you have Direct Access to Physical Therapy? No referral is needed. We offer the best Physical Therapy on Long Island where you can get help from our trusted and expert Physical Therapists. We have several locations on Long Island including Massapequa, Valley Stream, Wantagh and Lindenhurst. To start your Physical Therapy evaluation, call Advance Physical Therapy and The Physical Therapy Alliance at (516) 568-4444.