Physiotherapy for Trapped Nerves in London
Trapped Nerve
A trapped nerve can feel like a sharp pinch, a constant ache, or a strange tingling that just won’t go away. Whether it’s in your neck, back, or arm, it can interrupt your sleep, your mobility, and your ability to get through your day. At Physit, we bring physiotherapy to your door. No waiting rooms, no travel, just expert support that is focused on reducing pain, calming irritated nerves, and helping you move better and feel better.
What Is a Trapped Nerve?
A trapped nerve, also known as a compressed or pinched nerve, happens when surrounding tissues (like muscles, bones, or joints) put too much pressure on a nearby nerve. This compression disrupts how the nerve sends signals to the rest of your body, leading to symptoms like pain, tingling, numbness, or even muscle weakness.
Depending on where the nerve is affected, the symptoms can travel through different parts of your body. A trapped nerve in the neck might cause pain or tingling down your arm, while one in your lower back could cause sciatica-like symptoms in your leg. You might feel a sudden jolt of pain with certain movements, or a constant sense of tightness and discomfort throughout the day.
With physiotherapy, you can reduce irritation, improve nerve mobility, and regain your strength safely and gradually, with support that’s specifically tailored to you.
Common Signs and Symptoms for a Trapped Nerve
Trapped nerve symptoms can vary based on the location and severity of the compression. Some people experience sharp, shooting pain, while others may notice more subtle numbness or weakness. Some of the most common signs include:
- Pain that radiates from the neck, back, or shoulder into the limbs
- Tingling or “pins and needles” sensations in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
- Numbness or reduced sensitivity in the affected area
- Muscle weakness or difficulty with coordination
- Burning or electric-shock-like pain during certain movements
- Increased discomfort when sitting, turning the head, or bending
These symptoms can affect your ability to sleep, walk, use your hands, or just stay comfortable throughout the day. But with consistent, personalised physiotherapy, relief is absolutely possible.
What Can Make a Trapped Nerve Worse?
Trapped nerves can be aggravated by a number of everyday factors, and understanding these triggers can help you avoid setbacks and speed up the healing process. Some of the most common aggravators include:
- Poor posture: Slouching, prolonged sitting, or looking down at devices for too long can increase pressure on the spine and the surrounding nerves.
- Repetitive movements: Doing the same motion repeatedly (like lifting, twisting, or typing) may strain the nearby tissues and compress the nerve further.
- Sudden or awkward movements: Quick turns, heavy lifting, or twisting can cause a nerve to become more irritated.
- Muscle imbalances or tightness: When certain muscles are overactive or weak, they may alter the alignment and contribute to nerve compression.
- Inflammation or swelling: Nearby joints or soft tissues that are inflamed can press against the nerve and worsen symptoms.
- Prolonged inactivity: Staying in one position too long (especially without support) can increase nerve pressure and stiffness.
What Causes a Trapped Nerve?
A trapped nerve is usually the result of compression or irritation from the surrounding structures in the body. This can happen for a variety of reasons:
Sometimes it’s due to spinal conditions, like a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, where changes in the spine put pressure on nerve roots. In other cases, soft tissues like tight muscles or swollen tendons may press against the nerve, especially in areas like the neck, shoulders, or wrist. Repetitive strain, poor body mechanics, and past injuries can all contribute to this.
In the upper body, conditions like cervical radiculopathy (a pinched nerve in the neck) or thoracic outlet syndrome can cause symptoms down the arm. In the lower body, a compressed nerve in the lower spine may lead to sciatica, with pain or numbness that runs through the hip and leg.
At Physit, we don’t just look at where the pain is. We look at how you move, what’s contributing to the compression, and how we can help reduce the strain with a thorough assessment, hands-on treatment, personalised exercise, and continued support.
How Physit Can Help
When relieving nerve pain, the focus should be on reducing the compression, improving mobility, and supporting the muscles and tissues around the nerve so they function better together. That’s what we do at Physit, and we do it in your home, where your recovery is most comfortable.
We take the necessary time to assess your symptoms, understand your movement patterns, and build a personalised plan that helps you feel better, move more freely, and prevent any future irritation.
Here’s a look at what your treatment may include.
- Hands-on therapy: Gentle manual techniques help ease tight muscles, improve spinal and joint alignment, and relieve pressure on the nerve, so symptoms become less intense over time.
- Nerve gliding and mobility exercises: These specific movements are designed to help the nerve move more freely through surrounding tissue, reducing irritation and restoring function.
- Postural support and alignment work: We teach you how to sit, stand, and move in ways that minimise nerve compression and support long-term comfort.
- Targeted strengthening: Weak or underactive muscles are often part of the problem. We help you build strength in important areas (like the core, shoulders, or hips) to provide better postural support and protect the nerve.
- Stretching and tension relief: Carefully chosen stretches help release pressure points and create space for the nerve to move more comfortably.
- Functional activity coaching: From getting out of bed to reaching overhead, we guide you through safer movement strategies that reduce strain during everyday tasks.
With Physit, we provide you with the long-term support that you need for recovery. We help you understand what’s happening in your body, stay ahead of your symptoms, and gain back your mobility with greater ease and confidence every day. Every session is tailored to your space, your comfort level, and your personal goals.
Conditions We Treat
Our London home and work visit physiotherapists are highly experienced in assessing and treating a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:
0204 570 2391- Post-surgical rehabilitation (knee, hip, shoulder, and spinal surgeries, as well as general surgical recovery)
- Age-related mobility issues, including falls prevention and balance training
- Chronic pain management (back pain, arthritis, and joint stiffness)
- Neurological conditions impacting mobility and coordination
- Post-hospital deconditioning and general rehabilitation to restore strength, balance, and independence
- All musculoskeletal realted injuries or pain
Frequently Asked Questions About Trapped Nerves
1. Can physiotherapy really help with a trapped nerve?
Yes, physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for trapped nerves. It helps reduce pressure on the nerve, calms surrounding tissues, improves movement, and prevent further irritation.
2. Will I need to stop my usual activities?
Not necessarily. We’ll help you modify tasks to stay active in a way that’s safe and supportive. Gentle, guided movement is often more helpful than complete rest.
3. Do I need a diagnosis or scan first?
Not always. Our physiotherapists can assess your symptoms and movement patterns during your first session. If we think further imaging is needed, we can help you speak with your GP.
4. Do I need a referral to work with Physit?
No referral is needed. You can book directly with us, and we’ll come to your home to begin your personalised care plan.
Relief from Nerve Compression Starts with the Right Support
Trapped nerves can be frustrating and painful, but they’re also treatable with the right kind of support. With Physit, you don’t have to wait in a clinic or figure it out alone. We bring expert physiotherapy to your door, helping you reduce pain, improve strength, and move through your day more comfortably.
