Many people use the term “pinched nerve” when talking about neck or back pain. But what’s really going on? This condition occurs when a spinal nerve is painfully “pinched” by nearby tissue, such as a bulging or herniated disc, a bone spur, an inflamed joint, or a thickened ligament. All are common byproducts of the natural aging process when degenerative changes gradually take place in the spine. That’s why you hear about pinched nerves so much, especially as you get older.

Although you can’t stop the clock on aging, you don’t necessarily have to live with pain caused by a pinched nerve, either. The outstanding team of orthopedic spine specialists at Premier Bone & Joint Centers can help you manage your discomfort and get on with your life. At our satellite clinic in Gillette, Wyoming, we offer a full range of treatment options for pinched nerves and other degenerative spine conditions.

How Is a Pinched Nerve Treated?

Pinched nerve symptoms often require nothing more than a few weeks of diligent home care, such as rest, ice pack applications, and over-the-counter medications. If your discomfort persists or worsens, we may suggest:

• Physical therapy, including gentle stretches to improve your flexibility and low-impact exercises to strengthen the muscles that support your spine
• Therapeutic massage or chiropractic manipulation to alleviate the pressure on your pinched nerve
• Prescription-strength medications to ease muscles spasms and reduce severe inflammation

Unless the pain is severe or accompanied by disruptive neurological symptoms, such as severe numbness or muscle weakness, surgery is generally unnecessary to treat a pinched nerve. But when it is, our board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeons perform advanced, minimally invasive procedures to address pinched nerve symptoms at their source by removing excess or displaced tissue in the spine.

If you would like to explore your pinched nerve treatment options with a spine doctor at Premier Bone & Joint Centers, contact us today to request a consultation at our satellite clinic in Gillette, WY.