Neck and back pain can be the worst. Especially when they appear out of nowhere. Sure, I’d get it if Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson just kicked you in the back. But the pain started when you were putting your socks on!
It’s possible that your pain is being caused by a pinched nerve. Sounds painful, right? It is. The worst part is that they can appear out of nowhere and hang around for a while.
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Pinched nerves, also called compressed nerves, can cause feelings of pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected area. Sometimes, the pinched nerve isn’t even occurring in the area that’s sore. Other times, the pain can spread from a localized area.
Your nerve system is present throughout the body and can literally occur anywhere. Although they can result from acute trauma or injury, most of the time, a pinched nerve is the result of cumulative activities or postures.
So, let’s say one day you’re sitting at the foot of your bed putting on your socks and an intense pain takes over in your neck. It’s unlikely that you were injured sliding your sock on your foot. Instead, it could be a result of the positions you were in, or your posture, through the prior days and months.
For example, sitting in the car, behind a desk, or at the sofa for hours per day can boost the risk of a pinched nerve. Slouching with a round back and forward shoulders may lead to a pinched nerve in your back that you feel in your neck.
Preventing pinched nerves is really the name of the game. You can reduce the risk of a pinched nerve by getting regular activity, not staying seated for too long at once, and performing different forms of exercise.
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You can also try to work on your posture with ergonomic desks and chairs, and doing your best to stand/sit up straight with your shoulders pulled back. When standing, ideal posture creates a straight line from the ears to the ankles, passing directly through the hips, shoulders, and hips.
Limiting screen time, or bringing screens up to eye level, may also help reduce the chances of pain from a pinched nerve.
Pain relief has a lot to do with the positions you maintain and the lifestyle you lead. Understanding how positioning and posture play a role could help you reduce pain. If you are experiencing pain from a pinched nerve and it is not getting better, talk to a doctor or physical therapist.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
