What's a good way to relieve back pain from a pinched nerve?
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First, know that there are many different approaches even within the scope of physical therapy for treatment of back pain for a pinched nerve. Not everyone will respond to the same method. I highly recommend, that if she has not had the MDT approach, she should seek out this treatment. It is a system of classifying patients based on their response to movements and subsequently applying movements that seek to decrease or centralize the pain. This is much different than the standard "stretch and strengthen" approach that many PTs use.
If she has had the MDT approach, and her pain still lingers in the extremity after 7 visits (ie, it has not moved towards the center of the spine), this is an indicator of overall poor prognosis with any conservative therapy. Many times these cases are more appropriate for surgery. However, I would always try all conservative options: epidural steroid injeciton (sometimes works well in combination with PT), chiropratic care, spinal decompression...before trying surgery.
If your friend has not had the MDT approach, I recommend she see a credentialed PT...she can find one at: http://www.mckenziemdt.org
Have surgery and get the nerve decompressed. You'll be sore for awhile, but it will be worth it in the longrun.
Prescription meds are probably the only thing that will do the trick and sometimes for a pinched nerve some of those dont even work...
if it is her lower back, it may be a pinched sciatic (sorry can't spell) nerve. if she tries stretching the nerve it may help.
this can be done with a simple wall stretch.
place tips of toes on one foot against the wall, and put hands against the wall, take other foot and place it as far back as possible with the foot flat. lean into it, bending the first leg slightly, until a good stretch (NOT pain) is felt. alternate and do about 10 times on each leg, holding for about 15 seconds each time.
Hope this helps.
the best thing to do is go to a chiropractor and get adjusted, have some traction, get a massage, put biofreeze on it, put an ice pack on it, take some prescription medication, if all of that does not work then you have to do like me and get surgery to get rid of the pinched nerve, she might have a herniated disc too, she should get an MRI done to see if she does have one, PRAY for the pain to go away
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