pinched nerve

L4 Nerve Root Impingement Symptoms

L4 nerve root impingement, also known as nerve compression, is a fairly common spinal condition, especially in older individuals. Located just under the L4 vertebra of the lumbar spine, the L4 nerve root plays an important role in the movement of your lower extremities. If it becomes impinged, you may experience a range of symptoms in the lower back, legs, and feet. 

Keep reading to learn more about L4 nerve root impingement symptoms, along with available treatments for this spinal condition.   

What Does the L4 Nerve Root Affect?

The L4 nerve root affects muscles throughout the back, legs, pelvis, thighs, and feet.

By supporting muscle function in these areas, the L4 nerve root is essential for normal movement in the lower extremities. It allows you to complete various basic activities, including standing and walking. The L4-L5 spinal level is also crucial to upper body motion, like twisting and bending. 

What Are the Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve at L4?

Symptoms of a pinched nerve at L4 include sharp pain that radiates from the lower back to the lower extremities, back stiffness, and numbness, tingling, or weakness in the lower extremities. 

The symptoms of an L4 pinched nerve often radiate to the lower extremities because the impingement disrupts signals that move along the nerve. This can trigger pain and neurological symptoms, like numbness, tingling, and weakness, that move from the lower back to the hips, legs, and feet. 

Along with back pain, stiffness, and radiating symptoms, a pinched nerve at L4 can cause:

• A lack of coordination in the legs and feet
• A loss of reflexes in the lower extremities

Where Does L4 Nerve Pain Radiate?

L4 nerve pain radiates to the pelvis, legs, and feet. More specifically, radiating pain from the L4 nerve usually affects the inner surfaces of the lower extremities. 

Does Nerve Root Impingement Go Away?

Nerve root impingement usually goes away, either with rest and at-home care or professional medical treatment. 

Can Nerve Root Impingement Go Away on its Own?

Nerve root impingement can go away on its own in mild cases. When the nerve compression is mild, four to six weeks of rest and at-home care may be sufficient to alleviate your symptoms. In this period, your body will work to heal and regenerate the damaged nerve tissue. 

When Can’t Nerve Root Impingement Heal on Its Own?

Moderate to severe cases of nerve root impingement generally can’t heal on their own. These cases typically require physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, or surgical intervention (in severe cases) for pain management. These treatments also support your body’s healing process by alleviating pressure and excessive inflammation. 

Signs that your L4 pinched nerve may not heal on its own include:

• Your symptoms are severe. 
• Your pain doesn’t improve after several days of rest and at-home care. 
• You experience sudden muscle weakness. 
• Your pain is persistent or returns after short periods of relief. 

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How Do You Treat L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement?

You can treat L4-L5 nerve root impingement with physical therapy, chiropractic care, heat/cold therapy, lifestyle modifications, pain medications, steroid injections, and surgery. 

Physical Therapy for L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement

As a drug-free, non-invasive treatment, physical therapy is often implemented for L4-L5 nerve root impingement of all severities. It involves PT-recommended stretches and strengthening exercises to reduce impact on the affected nerve root. Your PT can also help correct imbalances in your movement patterns that may be exacerbating the issue. 

Chiropractic Care for L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement

Chiropractic care uses manual therapies to improve spinal alignment, circulation, and overall health. Your chiropractor may implement a variety of methods to treat lumbar nerve compression, including:

• Manual spinal adjustments to correct misalignments, boost blood flow to the damaged nerve, and stimulate the body’s healing natural process 
• Stretching and strengthening exercises to improve support for the spine and reduce tension
• Lifestyle recommendations 

Heat and Cold Therapy for L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement

Heat and cold therapy are effective, time-tested remedies that you can do at home. Whether you have mild, moderate, or severe nerve root impingement, heat and cold therapy can help lessen inflammation and pain. 

• Cold therapy works by constricting blood vessels and numbing the area, providing pain relief while reducing inflammation. 
• Heat therapy works by reducing muscle tension, increasing blood flow to the area, and improving flexibility. 

Lifestyle Modifications for L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement

Adjusting certain aspects of your lifestyle can significantly improve your body’s ability to heal an injured nerve root, including:

• Quitting smoking
• Reaching a healthy weight
• Improving your posture
• Avoiding high-impact activities that hurt your back

Pain Medications for L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement

Pain medications can help manage symptoms of lumbar nerve compression. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription pain medications, depending on your condition’s severity. However, it’s generally not advisable to use pain medications as a long-term solution for nerve impingement, as they’re associated with side effects and other risks. 

Steroid Injections for L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement

Steroid injections may be used to improve pain and inflammation associated with an impinged nerve root. The steroid medication works by temporarily curbing the immune response.

Steroid injections aren’t always the best treatment option for spinal conditions, as they don’t provide permanent pain relief. Additionally, overusing steroid injections can lead to tissue atrophy. Your doctor will strategize with you to determine if it’s the right option for you. 

Surgery for L4-L5 Nerve Root Impingement

Back surgery is usually only required for severe L4-L5 nerve root impingement. Your doctor is unlikely to suggest surgical intervention unless your symptoms don’t improve after six to 12 months of conservative treatment. 

Surgical procedures for L4-L5 nerve root impingement may include:

• Discectomy
• Laminectomy
• Foraminotomy

How Do You Unpinch an L4 Nerve?

To unpinch an L4 nerve, it’s important to rest the area, manage inflammation, stay active with low-impact exercise, and follow all of your doctor’s instructions. 

Relief from L4 nerve root impingement is possible with help from a trusted physician. Don’t hesitate to book an evaluation if your pain doesn’t go away within a few weeks. 

How Long Does a Pinched Nerve Last?

Nerves extend throughout the human body, transporting impulses from your brain to all parts of the body. But, what happens when a nerve becomes pinched?

Pinched nerves are a common injury, particularly among older adults. If you experience this injury, you may wonder how long it will last and when you can expect to feel relief. 

While pinched nerves aren’t permanent, prompt care is important to ensure a complete recovery. Keep reading to learn more about how you can speed up your pinched nerve recovery and when to seek professional treatment for your symptoms. 

Table of Contents

• What Is the Difference Between a Compressed Nerve and a Pinched Nerve?
• Can I Ignore a Pinched Nerve?
• Will Stretching Help a Pinched Nerve?
• Pinced Nerve in the Lower Back
• How Long Do Pinched Nerves Take to Heal?
• How Do You Know If a Pinched Nerve Is Healing?
• Is It OK to Rub a Pinched Nerve?
• What Is the Fastest Way to Fix a Pinched Nerve?
• Does Lying Down Help a Pinched Nerve?
• How Do You Unpinch a Nerve?
• How Do You Know if a Pinched Nerve Is Permanent?
• Can a Pinched Nerve Be a Sign of Bigger Issues in Your Spine?

What Is the Difference Between a Compressed Nerve and a Pinched Nerve?

There’s no difference between a compressed nerve and a pinched nerve; they’re the same. This injury may also be called nerve impingement. 

A compressed or pinched nerve occurs when excessive pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues. These tissues may include bones, muscles, tendons, or cartilage. 

Can I Ignore a Pinched Nerve?

You shouldn’t ignore a pinched nerve. Doing so can worsen the compression and may lead to permanent nerve damage. 

If you experience these symptoms of a pinched nerve, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or a neurologist for an evaluation:

• Numbness or reduced sensation in the area supplied by the nerve
• Burning, aching, and/or radiating pain
• Tingling or “pins and needles” sensation
• Muscle weakness
• Frequently feeling like an extremity has fallen asleep

Left alone, a pinched nerve can lead to serious neurological symptoms, including cauda equina syndrome. Cauda equina syndrome occurs when the cauda equina (a group of nerve roots at the bottom of the spinal cord) becomes compressed, and it can lead to permanent paralysis without prompt treatment.

If you experience any of the following warning signs of severe nerve damage, seek emergency medical care:

• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Loss of sensation or muscle weakness in both legs
• Loss of motor function in the legs
• Saddle anesthesia (loss of sensation in the buttocks, inner thighs, and perineum

Will Stretching Help a Pinched Nerve?

Stretching can help a pinched nerve by alleviating tension in the surrounding muscles and improving the alignment of the spine. This can reduce the pressure on the affected nerve. 

While stretching can help with a pinched nerve, it’s important to stretch gently and safely. Overstretching or stretching too frequently can lead to further injury. 

Some of the best stretches for a pinched nerve in the lumbar spine include:

• Cat/cow pose
• Child’s pose
• Downward facing dog

Pinched Nerve in the Lower Back

A pinched nerve in the lower back can result from spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, or a traumatic injury to the nerve.

• Spinal stenosis involves the narrowing of the spinal canal. As the canal gets tighter, there’s less open space surrounding the spinal nerves. Eventually, the spinal structures may press on the nerves, leading to symptoms of a pinched nerve.  
• Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra slips out of its regular position, falling onto the vertebra below. The displaced vertebra may press on spinal nerves. 
• A herniated disc occurs when the soft disc interior pushes out through a weakened part of the disc exterior. The damaged disc can impinge nearby spinal nerves. 
• Degenerative disc disease refers to gradual wear and tear on the spinal discs, which can eventually lead to disc damage and pain. A pinched nerve is a possible result of this condition. 
• A traumatic injury, like a sudden fall, car accident injury, or sports injury, can trigger a pinched nerve. It’s crucial to undergo a professional physical exam after a traumatic fall or accident to identify injuries, like a compressed nerve. 

The lower back is a common region of the body for pinched nerves. This is because the lower back bears the weight of the rest of the spine and is highly flexible, both of which lead to increased degeneration. 

Poor posture, the aging process, and a sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk of a pinched nerve in the lower back. These factors place increased stress on the spinal tissues, creating the risk of injury. 

How Long Do Pinched Nerves Take to Heal?

Pinched nerves usually take four to six weeks to heal completely. However, this period can vary greatly depending on the severity of the injury and the individual’s general health. 

A minor pinched nerve typically only needs a few weeks to heal with at-home care, including rest and heat/cold therapy. In some cases, your symptoms may resolve within just a few days. 

Moderate pinched nerves usually require more time to heal (four weeks or longer). If your symptoms don’t improve with at-home care, you may need to visit a physician for a conservative treatment plan. This generally involves physical therapy, lifestyle modification, and medication (if appropriate). 

A severely pinched nerve can take up to three months to heal with professional care. If your symptoms persist, your doctor may suggest surgery to resolve the pressure on the nerve. 

What Causes Pinched Nerve?

The cause of your pinched nerve can influence how long it takes to heal. Common causes of pinched nerves include:

• Bone spurs: A bone spur is a piece of excess bone tissue that develops in response to friction or pressure. Bone spurs can form on the vertebrae and may press on spinal nerves. Older age, genetics, spinal injuries, and poor posture can increase your risk of spinal bone spurs. 
• Herniated disc: Disc herniation occurs when an intervertebral disc ruptures, causing the jelly-like interior to push out through the disc exterior. The damaged disc can impinge on nearby nerves. A herniated disc can result from age-related spinal degeneration or a sudden trauma to the spine. 
• Spinal stenosis: Spinal stenosis is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal. As the canal narrows, it reduces the space around the spinal nerves. Eventually, spinal structures may press on nerves in the affected area. 
• Spondylolisthesis: Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra slips downward, resting on the vertebra below it. While some cases of the condition are asymptomatic, others experience nerve impingement from the displaced bone. 

How Do You Know If a Pinched Nerve Is Healing?

You may know that a pinched nerve is healing if your pain decreases, neurological symptoms improve, and spinal mobility increases. 

Key signs of a healing pinched nerve include:

• Improved sensation in the back and extremities: With a pinched nerve in the lumbar spine, many people have numbness in the lower back and legs. Greater sensation in these areas may indicate that the irritated nerve is healing. 
• Fewer pain flare-ups: As a pinched nerve heals, it’s less likely to trigger sharp pain flare-ups with day-to-day movements. You may feel more comfortable bending and twisting the spine, without fear of a sharp pang. 
• Reduced radiating pain: Pain that radiates from the pinched nerve into the extremities typically improves as the nerve heals. 
• Greater muscle strength: A common symptom of nerve impingement is weakness in the muscles supplied by the nerve. As the nerve recovers, you may experience greater muscle strength in the affected areas. 
• Greater range of motion: A pinched nerve can limit your range of motion and cause muscle stiffness. When the nerve heals and inflammation decreases, your range of motion will increase. 

What Makes a Pinched Nerve Worse?

High-impact exercise, excessive twisting or bending, and poor posture can make a pinched nerve worse. 

• High-impact exercise like weightlifting, running, and contact sports can make a pinched nerve worse. These activities can exacerbate the pressure on the irritated nerve and increase inflammation. 
• Excessive twisting and bending of the spine can further impinge the nerve. This is why it’s important to avoid stretches that aren’t recommended by physical therapy. 
• Poor posture keeps the spine out of its natural, healthy alignment. This increases the pressure on spinal nerves when you sit, stand, or carry out various movements. 

Other factors that can worsen a pinched nerve include:

• Spinal degeneration: Whether due to natural aging or overuse, spinal degeneration can exacerbate existing nerve irritation. As the spinal tissues degenerate, the nerves are subject to greater impact with various movements and positions. Degeneration also increases the risk of conditions like spinal stenosis, which can directly contribute to a pinched nerve. 
• Repetitive movements: Repeatedly twisting, jerking, or bending places excessive impact on one area of the spine. This can cause or worsen a pinched nerve. 
• Being overweight: Being overweight or obese places significant strain on the spine. If you have a pinched nerve, excess pounds may worsen the inflammation and exacerbate your symptoms. 

Is It OK to Rub a Pinched Nerve?

It is OK to rub a pinched nerve, to an extent. To avoid further nerve irritation, it’s best to visit a licensed massage therapist.  

Rubbing a pinched nerve can improve blood flow to the irritated nerve. The oxygen and nutrients in blood support the nerve recovery process and may decrease inflammation. However, rubbing an impinged nerve excessively can further irritate the nerve, potentially worsening your symptoms. 

A licensed, qualified massage therapist or physical therapist has the knowledge to rub around a pinched nerve without causing additional damage. Along with improving circulation to the affected area, massage therapy can decrease tension in the muscles surrounding the nerve. This may prevent muscle spasms and alleviate some of the pressure on the nerve. 

What Is the Fastest Way to Fix a Pinched Nerve?

The fastest way to fix a pinched nerve is to rest, avoiding any activities that trigger your symptoms. Heat and cold therapy can also accelerate the recovery process. 

While it’s important to rest the affected area with a pinched nerve, refrain from excessive bed rest. Remaining completely immobile may lead to muscle tension and weakness. Instead, stick to gentle, low-impact activities that don’t cause back pain flare-ups. 

Heat and cold therapy can help fix a pinched nerve by increasing circulation and managing inflammation. Heat therapy boosts blood flow to the area and relaxes the muscles, while cold therapy curbs swelling. Aim for 15 to 20 minutes of cold therapy, followed by 15 minutes of heat (or as recommended by your physician). 

Does Lying Down Help a Pinched Nerve?

Lying down can help a pinched nerve by removing all pressure from it, giving it a chance to heal. But, it’s crucial to lie in a position that keeps the spine in proper alignment. 

For a spinal pinched nerve, avoid lying on your stomach. Instead, lie on your back with a pillow under your knees, or on your side with a pillow between your knees. The pillow helps keep your spine in a neutral position, with a natural curve in the lumbar spine. 

While at-home methods often resolve pinched nerves, you may need professional care to recover completely. If your pain doesn’t subside within a week or two, contact your physician for an exam. 

How Do You Unpinch a Nerve?

While you can’t unpinch a nerve, per se, you can reduce inflammation around the nerve and help the nerve tissue heal. 

Ways to improve a pinched nerve include:

• Improving your posture: When the spine is out of alignment, it increases the pressure on spinal nerves, whether you’re sitting, standing, or walking. Improving your posture and avoiding positions that increase stress on your spine can give the irritated nerve a chance to heal. 
• Use heat and/or cold therapy: Heat and cold therapy can both provide benefits for a pinched nerve. Heat therapy boosts circulation to the pinched nerve, delivering the oxygen and nutrients that the tissue needs to heal. Cold therapy reduces inflammation and swelling in the area, which can help with pain. 
• Physical therapy: A physical therapist can provide personalized exercises to alleviate pressure on a pinched nerve and strengthen the abdominal muscles, which support the spine. Many PTs also provide various complementary remedies, like electrical stimulation and massage, to help lessen pinched nerve symptoms. 
• Lifestyle adjustments: Various lifestyle changes can help a pinched nerve heal, including:
  • Improve your posture. If you sit in front of a computer for most of the workday, consider an ergonomic desk chair with excellent lumbar support. 
  • Regularly perform low-impact exercise, like walking, swimming, and cycling, to preserve your mobility and improve circulation throughout the body. 
  • Avoid high-impact activities, like weightlifting and contact sports, while you recover from a pinched nerve. 
  • Avoid overextending the spine, which can happen in certain activities like golf and gymnastics. 
  • Try shedding excess weight, which can lessen the strain on your spine with day-to-day motions. 

How Do You Know if a Pinched Nerve Is Permanent?

Most pinched nerves aren’t permanent and resolve within a few weeks or months of treatment. 

However, if a nerve remains pinched for several months without care, it can eventually cause permanent nerve damage. Signs that a pinched nerve may be permanent include:

• Muscle weakness, particularly in the extremities
• Difficulty with balance or walking
• A frequent tingling, buzzing, burning, or shock-like sensation
• Severe sensitivity to touch or sensory changes

To avoid permanent nerve damage, talk to a physician, like a neurologist, for a treatment plan to relieve the compression. Once the compression is resolved, the nerve can effectively heal.

Can a Pinched Nerve Be a Sign of Bigger Issues in Your Spine?

Yes, a pinched nerve can be a sign of bigger issues in your spine. Pinched nerves can result from several spinal conditions, like spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, herniated disc, and degenerative disc disease. 

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If a pinched nerve is caused by a spinal condition, it may require more extensive care. Spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis involve problems with the structure of the spine. While non-surgical remedies can help with symptoms of these conditions, only surgery can correct the structural abnormalities in the spine.

Spinal decompression surgery can open the spinal canal to resolve nerve compression from spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. The TOPS System is an FDA-approved, innovative device to stabilize the spine after this procedure without the need for fusion. 

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a pinched nerve, schedule an appointment with a neurologist in your area for personalized care.  

What Does a Pinched Nerve Feel Like?

Have you ever had a pinched nerve? This neurological condition develops when surrounding tissues impinge on a nerve, causing pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling. While it can happen virtually anywhere in the body, pinched nerves are particularly common in the lumbar spine. 

Without a formal diagnosis, it can be difficult to tell whether your symptoms indicate nerve impingement. In this article, we’ll discuss what a pinched nerve feels like, and how to take the next steps toward relief.  

Table of Contents

• Signs of a Pinched Nerve
• How to Get Rid of Pinched Nerve
• What Relaxes a Pinched Nerve?
• What Makes a Pinched Nerve Worse?
• How Do You Sleep With a Pinched Nerve?
• How Do You Know If a Pinched Nerve Is Healing?
• Pinched Nerve Healing Signs
• How Long Does it Take a Pinched Nerve to Heal?
• Can You See a Pinched Nerve on an MRI?
• What if Pinched Nerve Is a Symptom of Severe Spine Conditions?

Signs of a Pinched Nerve

The telltale signs of a pinched nerve include:

• Numbness or lost sensation
• Pain in the affected area (burning, sharp, or aching)
• Back pain that radiates to the upper or lower extremities
• Paresthesia, a “pins and needles” sensation
• Muscle weakness
• The frequent sensation that a foot or hand has “fallen asleep”

Some patients experience worsened pinched nerve symptoms at night when they’re trying to fall asleep. The pain typically begins at the irritated nerve root and extends to the extremities supplied by the nerve. For example, if you have a pinched lumbar nerve, the pain may radiate to one or both legs. 

Certain neurological symptoms indicate severe nerve injury that requires immediate medical attention, such as:

• A loss of bowel or bladder control
• Fever or chills
• Unexplained weight loss
• Changes to your skin

How to Get Rid of Pinched Nerve

To get rid of a pinched nerve, prioritize sleep and take a break from any activities that strain the spine. You can also try heat therapy, ice therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications to alleviate swelling and pain. Other non-invasive treatment options include:

• Physical therapy to improve posture, muscle strength, and mobility, all of which can reduce the strain on the spine
• Massage therapy to reduce muscle tension and prevent spasms
• Lifestyle adjustments, such as implementing a low-impact exercise routine, reaching a healthy weight, and quitting smoking to promote nerve healing

What Relaxes a Pinched Nerve?

You can relax a pinched nerve with heat therapy, gentle movement (like walking or stretching), and leg elevation. 

• Heat therapy involves applying a heating pad to the area with a pinched nerve. Oftentimes, pinched nerves are surrounded by tight muscles, which worsens nerve irritation. Heat promotes muscle relaxation and increases blood flow to the area, leading to symptom relief. 
• Gentle movements like walking or child’s pose increases circulation to the irritated nerve, which promotes healing. Additionally, staying active will help increase your range of motion, warding off muscle tension that can exacerbate neurological symptoms. 
• Leg elevation can help alleviate radiating pain from a pinched lumbar nerve. Ensure that your knees and hips both have a 90-degree bend, with your legs positioned above your chest. This takes the pressure off of the lumbar spine to reduce inflammation. 

What Makes a Pinched Nerve Worse?

Overuse and poor posture make a pinched nerve worse. So, try to avoid activities that could overuse the nerve, including:

• Weight-bearing activities, including weightlifting
• Activities that involve twisting the spine, like gymnastics, golfing, some yoga poses, diving
• Contact sports, including football, hockey, soccer, and boxing

Poor posture can also make a pinched nerve worse. So, try to remain aware of your posture throughout the day, whether you’re sitting or standing. Your shoulders should be back with your head in line with your body and a small curve in your lower back. 

Prolonged periods of sitting may worsen your pinched nerve symptoms by putting pressure on the spine. If your occupation requires sitting at a desk, consider getting a standing desk or standing up and walking around periodically throughout the work day. 

How Do You Sleep With a Pinched Nerve?

To sleep with a pinched nerve, try sleeping on your side with a pillow in between your knees, or sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees. These positions help reduce the stress on your spine while you sleep. 

Certain sleeping positions can aggravate pinched nerves, including sleeping on your stomach. But, if sleeping on your stomach is the most comfortable position for you, place a pillow under your abdomen to avoid straining the spine.  

How Do You Know If a Pinched Nerve Is Healing?

You may be able to tell that a pinched nerve is healing if your nerve pain gradually improves. Other signs that a pinched nerve is healing include:

• Restored sensation in the affected area
• Greater strength in the affected area 
• Improved range of motion
• Less frequent pins and needles sensation
• Fewer muscle spasms

Pinched Nerve Healing Signs

Pinched nerve healing signs can vary from patient to patient, but often include:

• Reduced nerve pain: You may be able to tell that a pinched nerve is healing if your nerve pain gradually improves.

• Restored sensation in the affected area: Numbness in the area supplied by the affected nerve is a common symptom of nerve impingement. As the nerve heals, you may experience greater sensation in that area. Some patients even have hypersensitivity in the area, which typically normalizes over time. 
• Greater strength in the affected area: Weakness in the legs and feet is a common symptom of lumbar pinched nerves. Therefore, improved strength in the extremities is a possible sign of nerve healing. 
• Improved range of motion: Pinched nerves can decrease your range of motion in the affected area, like the lumbar spine. As the nerve recovers, you may notice that your range of motion becomes less limited. Physical therapy exercises can further expand your mobility during the nerve healing process. 
• Less frequent pins and needles sensation: Many people experience a “pins and needles” sensation in the area supplied by a pinched nerve. This symptom will go away over time as the nerve heals.
  • In some cases, individuals experience tingling when a damaged nerve regenerates. This sensation results from young axons that are growing in the injured area. The tingling of nerve healing will likely feel less severe than the tingling caused by a pinched nerve. 
• Fewer muscle spasms: A pinched nerve can send abnormal signals to certain muscles, leading to spasms. This occurs less and less as the nerve heals. 
• Itchiness: Some people experience itchiness in the area affected by a pinched nerve. This occurs when the nerve is stimulated by activity in the area that’s healing. In the brain, this is mistakenly interpreted as itchiness.
• Shock-like sensation: Some people report a sensation like an electric shock as a nerve heals. This indicates that the nerve is healing, but can be similar to the burning sensation associated with nerve damage. Your physician can help pinpoint the source of this symptom.  

How Long Does it Take a Pinched Nerve to Heal?

It generally takes between one and three months for a pinched nerve to heal. However, this period can vary significantly depending on the severity of the injury and how well the patient sticks to their treatment plan. It also generally takes longer for a pinched nerve to heal in older patients. 

Can You See a Pinched Nerve on an MRI?

Yes, you can see a pinched nerve on an MRI. MRI is short for magnetic resonance imaging and is the preferred imaging test for nerve damage, including pinched nerves. 

MRI scans use robust magnets to generate a magnetic field. This field compels the protons in the patient’s body to align with the protons in the field. Then, a radiofrequency current is sent through the patient, making the protons move against the magnetic field. This process generates detailed images of the inside of the body, including organ, muscle, bone, blood vessel, and nerve tissue.   

Pinched nerves can usually be diagnosed with a thorough physical exam and medical history. However, your physician may order an MRI scan to pinpoint the location of the injured nerve. An MRI scan may also be able to identify the root cause of the pinched nerve, such as a bone spur or herniated disc.  

What if Pinched Nerve Is a Symptom of Severe Spine Conditions?

If a pinched nerve is a symptom of a severe spine condition, it’s crucial to receive prompt medical treatment. For symptoms that don’t resolve with conservative therapies, spinal surgery may be required. 

The spinal conditions that can cause a pinched nerve include:

• Herniated disc

A herniated disc is an injury to one of the protective discs located in between the vertebrae of the spine. With this condition, the jelly-like disc interior protrudes from a crack in the disc’s outer shell and may press on nearby nerves. 

• Bone spurs

Bone spurs are lumps of excess bone tissue that form in response to increased friction within the spinal joints. They’re usually a complication of spinal osteoarthritis, with which the protective cartilage in the spinal joints wears away. 

• Degenerative disc disease

Degenerative disc disease is the term used to describe pain from a damaged spinal disc. It develops as a result of age-related wear and tear on the spine, and pinched nerves are a possible complication. 

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When surgery is required for a pinched nerve, spinal decompression surgery with spinal fusion is the go-to option. Spinal decompression procedures, like laminectomy, remove the tissue that’s impinging on the nerve. Fusion stabilizes the spine by permanently joining two or more affected vertebrae. 

To avoid lost mobility and lengthy recovery from spinal fusion, patients can consider the TOPS System for spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. Contact a spinal specialist in your area to learn more.