How to relieve a pinched nerve in your lower back

A pinched nerve in your lower back can really throw a wrench in your daily routine. It can make simple tasks like tying your shoes or bending over to pick something up extremely painful. It's important to know what a pinched nerve is, what causes it and how to treat it to alleviate the pain and discomfort in your lower back. In this blog post, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about taking care of a pinched nerve in your lower back.

What is a pinched nerve?

A pinched nerve occurs when there is too much pressure applied to a nerve by the surrounding tissues like bones, muscles or tendons. In your lower back specifically, you might feel sharp or shooting pain that radiates down your legs, numbness or tingling sensations, and weakness in your legs. This can make it difficult to walk or stand for long periods of time.

In medical terminology, a pinched nerve is referred to as "radiculopathy". The term is derived from the Latin word 'radix' meaning 'root', and 'pathy' meaning 'suffering'. In simpler terms, radiculopathy refers to the pain and other symptoms like numbness and tingling, resulting from the irritation of a nerve root.

Research into pinched nerves has been extensive. Most studies have indicated that individuals with a pinched nerve in the lower back can experience decreased mobility and balance due to the disruption of nerve function. Other studies have pointed out that pinched nerves often result from age-related changes in spinal structures, although they can also be caused by sudden injuries or poor posture. Understanding these causes and effects of pinched nerves aids in developing effective treatment plans.

What causes a pinched nerve?

There are many different things that may cause a pinched nerve in your lower back. Frequently, it comes down to poor posture, where you sit or stand for extended periods of time, particularly in the wrong position such as a hunched back.

Intense physical activity or trauma, such as repetitive heavy lifting, sudden accidents, or compression due to herniated discs, can also trigger a pinched nerve. These are often some of the most intense and painful types of pinched nerves and are some of the areas where we help most of our patients.

You may also notice a pinched nerve after sleeping in a poor position or if you don't have a very supportive bed. Your sleep posture is something to consider, from your pillow all the way to your choice of mattress. Investing in a good quality pillow and mattress can help not only with pinched nerves in your lower back but also other pain from poor sleeping posture.

How can you prevent a pinched nerve in your lower back?

To prevent a pinched nerve in your lower back, it is important to maintain proper posture, take frequent breaks when standing or sitting for extended periods of time, and exercise regularly, which most importantly, includes stretches and warm-ups before, and stretches after heavy lifting.

Improving your physical condition and staying active with exercise you enjoy is one of the best ways to prevent a pinched nerve. When you use your body frequently via exercise, you're less likely to perform a body move that might cause a pinched nerve in your back. Light exercise, such a yoga, can help keep your muscles in use so that you avoid injury during normal activity.

What can you do to relieve a pinched nerve?

Thankfully, there are many effective treatments for a pinched nerve in your lower back. A mild cause of a pinched nerve could be improved through rest and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation, though it's just a temporary solution. Applying heat or cold compress at home can also provide relief, while physical therapy can help stretch and strengthen your muscles to reduce pressure on the affected nerve.

Stretching exercises could also help in reducing the pain and tightness that has developed with time. Dr. Lopez and his staff sometimes recommend certain alternatives to surgeries, which may include some spinal manipulation, which directly takes away pinched nerve pressure. In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Many times it's best to consult a doctor like Dr. Lopez with questions to make sure what you're experiencing is, in fact, a pinched nerve. The worst thing to do is self-diagnose and then potentially cause more pain!

What should I see a doctor like Dr. Lopez for my pinched nerve?

It's important to recognize when the pain is too much to manage, and you need to see a doctor. It's also important to recognize when the pain is occurring too often to be treated with the ways mentioned above.

There are generally two ways to know if you should see a doctor; the first way to know is if your back pain is painful enough to be forcing you to take time off work or interfering with your normal daily routine. If you're not able to do the things you need to do in your daily life, we consider that a reason you may consider setting up an appointment with us at DFW Interventional Pain Institute.

The second way to know if you should see a doctor is if the pain is chronic, which means that it happens often. If you seem to get a recurring pinched nerve more than once a month, you should definitely consider contacting our office to see how Dr. Lopez can help. You've got enough things to worry about, so letting our team help you get back to your normal routine is something you'll truly benefit from.

Listen to your body and contact us with questions

Despite how severe your back pain feels, the good news is that you can regain control and relief with the right course of treatment. If you're experiencing pain in your lower back, it's important to pay attention to your symptoms and follow the advice as mentioned in this post. Remember, when it comes to treating a pinched nerve in your lower back or any other type of backache, DFW Interventional Pain Institute is here to help. At our clinic, we have a wide variety of innovative therapies that are designed to help you live your best life, free of any discomfort and pain. Book your appointment with us today and take the first step towards unpinching your pain.