Pinched nerves can be an immense pain to deal with. Both figuratively and literally. They can cause tingling, numbness and pain throughout regions of the body. It can also be hard to pinpoint where exactly the sensations are originating from. A pinched nerve, also known as a compressed nerve, can occur when either a bone, cartilage, tendon or muscle presses up against a nerve somewhere in the body. This condition can occur at any point in the body where nerves run through. Interestingly enough, a nerve that is pinched at one point can be felt in a separate area. For example, if someone has a pinched nerve in their lower back, they may feel tingling, numbness, or pain in their legs or buttocks. This condition can impact a person’s ability to perform daily tasks because of the level of discomfort it can create. Fortunately, it can be treated to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.

If you’re dealing with a pinched nerve somewhere in your body like the lower back, here are a few ways that physical therapy may be able to help you.

What are some ways that a physical therapist can help someone with a pinched nerve in their lower back?

Pinched nerves can be a pain, but fortunately, they don’t have to be. There are treatment options available for patients who are affected by this condition. Physical therapy is a highly effective and minimally invasive treatment method. Here are five ways a physical therapist can help someone dealing with a pinched nerve in their lower back:

• Strengthen the muscles in the back — Physical therapy sessions can gradually increase strength in the back muscles. Improved muscle strength can help support the tissue around the nerve. It can support the bones, tendons, and ligaments so that they’re less likely to press up against and pinch the nerve.
• Minimize some of the compression on the nerve — Another way that a physical therapist can help someone with a pinched nerve in their lower back is by reducing some of the compression on the nerve. Therapists have different modalities at their disposal to mobilize, stretch and even reposition tissue that could be contributing to the compression of a pinched nerve in the lower back.
• Improve flexibility — Increasing flexibility during PT sessions is another way to support the tissue around the nerve to help prevent it from pressing into the nerves.
• Gently exercise the back without aggravating the nerve — A physical therapist can help someone with a pinched nerve in their lower back by facilitating gentle exercise. Therapists are specially trained to demonstrate to patients how to perform productive movement and exercise without aggravating areas of weakness or injury.
• Reduce inflammation — An added benefit of physical therapy for someone with a pinched nerve and pain in their lower back is that it can help reduce some of the inflammation around the nerve.

Why might it be a good idea to see a physical therapist for a pinched nerve in your lower back?

Going to physical therapy as soon as possible when you’ve developed a pinched nerve in your lower back can be the difference between living with discomfort and finding relief. If you’ve got a pinched nerve, you’d likely benefit from PT. A therapist can provide professional support by determining the source of the nerve pain and why the nerve is being compressed, and then working with you to reduce the pain you’re experiencing in your lower back. 

Let Lattimore PT help you get the right physical therapy care for the pinched nerve in your lower back

Lattimore Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation Network first got its start in 1992. John and Cindy Shuman, husband and wife, first launched their own physical therapy practice with the aim of improving the quality of life of each member of their community. Since 1992, Lattimore PT has opened nearly 30 locations across New York.

Our team of talented physical therapists spread across the state is dedicated to understanding the treatment that works best for you. We specialize in taking a hands-on, interactive approach with each of our patients to provide them with the best care possible. We love to see our patients thrive, which is why we’ll do as much as we can to help get them to that point. The physical therapists at each of our Lattimore locations take pride in their work and do their best to come to the clinic each day with a smiling face. We aim to make each physical therapy session enjoyable yet productive. The ultimate mark of success, to us, is a patient who feels positively impacted by our work. Are you ready to experience “the Lattimore way”?

If you’re dealing with a pinched nerve in your lower back, you can find the treatment you need to relieve some of that nerve compression and reduce your symptoms. Our expert team of physical therapists knows how to work with patients to manage their compressed nerves and provide the best possible results.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.