
Can Physiotherapy Help Nerve Pain?
Nerve pain can range from being mildly uncomfortable to excruciating. If it is affecting you, it may be making the simplest everyday activity difficult to carry out and you might be missing out on the things you need and love to do, like work and exercise. So, how can you improve or resolve this issue?
Nerve pain can occur for a number of reasons and may present in various areas throughout the body. Because there are a range of underlying factors that may be involved, it may be important to visit your GP to identify any problems that need specific medical care. Once this has been done, it is time to find a treatment that can be personalised for your needs and goals.
Physiotherapy is a holistic form of healthcare that can be used to target a variety of injuries and conditions. Thankfully, nerve pain is one such issue that may respond positively to physiotherapy. If you are wondering, ‘Can physiotherapy help nerve pain?’, learn more here and find out what care the Muscle Joint Bone clinic can offer.
What is Nerve Pain?
Nerve pain is often a complicated condition that requires treatment from a healthcare professional with experience in this area. It is generally caused when nerve fibers are irritated due to some form of pressure. This may involve factors such as inflammation, entrapment, or compression, which may lead to decreased nerve function and pain.
Causes of Nerve Pain
Nerve pain can be a result of various conditions or injuries. This often affects the lower back area, legs, neck, and hands, but may present in other regions.
Some causes of nerve pain include the following.
Peripheral Nerve Entrapment And Pinched Nerves
This occurs when the tissues around a nerve are compressed by an issue involving the surrounding cartilage, muscles, tendons, or bones, which is often as a result of an injury.
Sciatica
This is one of the most common types. It generally results in pain in the hips, back, and legs, and happens when the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated. This nerve begins at the spine in the lower back regions and goes down behind your leg.
Medical Conditions
Certain health conditions can irritate or compress a nerve. This may include issues such as diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, alcoholism, obesity, and shingles. In these cases, it can be important to seek medical assistance.
How Can Physiotherapy Help Nerve Pain?
Physiotherapy is a form of treatment that is commonly chosen for nerve pain. This non-invasive therapy may help to reduce the pain, increase mobility and function, and improve certain underlying issues.
Physio treatment is tailored to suit your specific situation and depends on your symptoms and the severity of your condition. Some techniques and methods that our Epping, Doreen & Balwyn North physios may employ include:
Manual Therapy
This may involve techniques that focus on the soft tissue in the affected area, such as compression, massage, and stretching. Manual mobilisation may also be appropriate, such as manipulating the spinal joints to improve mobility, range of motion, and flexibility.
Dry Needling
Our physios are trained to perform this treatment, which involves gently inserting fine needles into the skin at the affected site. Dry needling targets certain trigger points in the soft tissue and aims to increase blood flow, decrease pain, and reduce tightness and inflammation.
Exercise Prescription
Certain exercises and stretches may have a positive impact on nerve pain. Your physio can develop a program that suits your condition and symptoms and adjust this as your progress.
Education And Lifestyle Advice
Your physio can help to modify certain habits or activities that may be impacting your nerve pain and work with you to reduce the risk of the issue from occurring again. This may include factors such as movement techniques and posture, injury prevention, and weight management advice.
Seek Support For Nerve Pain at the Muscle Joint Bone Clinic
Experiencing nerve pain can be frustrating and may significantly affect your ability to carry out your daily routine. We will undertake a thorough assessment to establish your needs, develop the best approach to focus on your symptoms and underlying factors, and track your progress towards your goals.
The friendly and highly qualified team at the Muscle Bone Joint clinic are experienced in treating a wide range of nerve pain-related conditions and injuries. If you are wondering if physiotherapy can help your nerve pain, please contact us for advice and to organise your initial consultation.