Pinched nerves show up as a sudden pain in the side of the chest. The affected nerves emerge from the spinal canal between the vertebrae and run just below the ribs together with an artery and a vein. Often, however, the sensation of "pinched nerves" is not actually an entrapment, but merely a nerve irritation that occurs along the nerve.
What helps with pinched nerves?
Against pinched nerves there are preventive measures, and on the other hand, a few tricks are required to make the pain disappear quickly once it has occurred.
As a preventive measure, regular movement of the spine in all directions of movement (i.e. forwards / backwards, sideways and rotations around the axis) can prevent nerve entrapment. In addition, you should continue to move your spine even if you have back pain, otherwise the muscles will cramp up permanently and thereby permanently pinch the nerves running through them.
If the first tensions appear, massages and heat treatments can help. There are over-the-counter ointments for this in pharmacies (Novalgin or, much stronger, Finalgon).
Once the nerve is trapped, careful stretching of the relevant side helps to free the nerve again. One should try to "breathe into the pain". By stretching and breathing in, the pain initially becomes stronger, but this is the only way to loosen the nerve blockage. Preventive measures are also sport that strengthens the muscles without putting too much strain on the spine.
Swimming or Kieser back training are simple ways to strengthen the core muscles so that nerve irritation or pinching occurs less often. It is also important to always stretch the muscles after exercising. So-called myogellose (muscle adhesions) can be avoided - these can also lead to nerve irritation. In addition, a regularly trained and stretched muscle is more flexible and the risk of nerve irritation and entrapment is reduced.
Quick help
Quick help with pinched nerves is an immediate stretch of the corresponding body area. This initially causes significantly more pain, but this releases the nerve entrapment immediately.
It can also be helpful to exert pressure on the affected area from outside, for example with the flat of the hand or the edge of the hand. The most important thing about an acutely trapped nerve is to act quickly and work against the pain.
It must be accepted that the pain may initially get worse at the beginning of the treatment. Under no circumstances should you adopt an immobile posture if you have a nerve entrapment - this increases the pain and the body develops a “pain memory”.
Alternative remedies
Alternative remedies for pinched nerves are pain reliever drops (Bach flowers) or homeopathic medication. In addition, cherry stone pillows available in the pharmacy, which are heated in the microwave and then placed on, as well as hot water bottles help with muscle tension and pinched nerves.
Alternatives to warming ointments such as Finalgon or Novalgin are also available as homeopathic variants. If a patient frequently suffers from pinched nerves, it is important that the back muscles are strengthened. The classic is the Kieser Training, but any other fitness studio or even your own home is also suitable with appropriate instructions to strengthen the back muscles.
When strengthening the back muscles, in order to prevent the development of a hollow back, the abdominal muscles must be trained to the same extent. In addition, the abdominal muscles support an upright posture and thus relieve the spine.
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