A pinched nerve occurs when the pressure on a nerve causes nerve compression. The nerve may get pressed between surrounding tissues such as bone, ligament, tendon or cartilage. This may be caused due to herniated disk/slipped disk, injury, stress from repetitive work or other factors.
The most frequently recommended treatment for a pinched nerve is rest for the affected area. Your doctor will ask you to stop any activities that cause or aggravate the compression. Depending on the location of the pinched nerve, you may need a splint, collar or brace to immobilize the area.
Exercises, stretches and postural modifications are often the best option for a pinched nerve in that they can help alleviate symptoms. Surgery is not recommended for this condition and should be considered only when severe weakness is found in the arm.
