You know that feeling when you wake up in the middle of the night and your arm has “fallen asleep” from sleeping in a funny position? You may notice a tingling feeling in your arm or it might even feel numb. This is an example of a mild case of a pinched nerve and one that might go away on its own once you reposition and take the pressure off of that side of your body.
However, there are other cases where you might have a pinched nerve that doesn’t go away on its own and you find yourself looking to chiropractors in Marietta, GA, for help. Chiropractors are known for their work on the spine, but they also take a holistic approach to each person and look at how something like a pinched nerve is affecting your whole body.
Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve
If you have a milder type of pinched nerve, you may notice an arm or a leg has “fallen asleep” and get that “pins and needles” tingling sensation as you reposition. These symptoms tend to go away rather quickly once you’ve readjusted and there is no more unnecessary pressure on the nerve.
However, in more moderate to severe cases of a pinched nerve, these tingling and numb sensations can last for a lot longer, up to days and weeks at a time. In addition to these symptoms, you might also experience shooting pain, muscle spasms, and weakness in the area. The most serious cases of a pinched nerve can even affect your ability to use one of your arms or legs.
Causes of a Pinched Nerve
There are so many nerves inside your body, which means there are many ways a nerve could become pinched or compressed. Here are a few common examples of what could cause a pinched nerve in your body.
Poor Posture
When you sit hunched over a computer all day or stand for long periods of time, it can lead to poor posture in your neck and back. Poor posture can cause a pinched nerve or make a pinched nerve worse because it puts unnecessary stress on your body. Muscles that strain to support poor posture can become inflamed, which may put too much pressure on a nearby nerve. Poor posture can also lead to spinal misalignments.
Spinal Misalignments
A misalignment in your spine refers to when the vertebrae that make up your spine are slightly out of place, potentially disrupting the nervous system. A vertebra could put pressure on a nearby nerve, causing a pinched nerve and sending symptoms like tingling and numbness into various parts of your body. A spinal misalignment in your neck can pinch a nerve that controls your arm, causing it to experience these uncomfortable symptoms.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This is a type of injury that affects the hand and wrist when they are used in repetitive motions that start to cause pain over time. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is associated with a specific nerve that sends signals in your hand and wrist called the median nerve. This specific nerve may be compressed when repetitive motions cause stiffness or swelling in the area.
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc can happen for a variety of reasons, from a sports injury to a car accident injury. A herniated disc refers to the spongy soft discs that separate each of your vertebrae and help absorb shock. If one of those discs slips or is forced out of place, it can put pressure on nerves nearby, causing pain and discomfort. A herniated disc in the lower back can put pressure on a specific nerve called the sciatic nerve, and when compressed, it can send pain and tingling symptoms down one side of your body through your hip and leg. This may get worse if the herniated disc goes untreated.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, then you understand how swelling and inflammation near your joints can cause all sorts of pain and discomfort. One of these can be a pinched nerve when swollen soft tissues compress a nearby nerve. Two of the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are tingling and numbness around the joints, which can often be related to a pinched nerve.
Chiropractic Care for a Pinched Nerve
Chiropractors in Marietta, GA, don’t just treat the symptoms of your pinched nerve; they actually get to the root of the issue so you can experience lasting relief. Your chiropractor will use gentle adjustments, massage, and other natural approaches to reduce swelling and inflammation or a herniated disc that could be putting undue pressure on nearby nerves.
By identifying the root cause, you can experience more lasting relief from a pinched nerve. If you are worried about a possible pinched nerve that is making your daily routines uncomfortable, then the chiropractors in Marietta, GA, at AICA Orthopedics can help!
Do Pinched Nerves Ever Heal Without Treatment?
One of the most common questions people ask is whether or not a pinched nerve will resolve on its own. The short answer is: sometimes. But the real answer depends on a variety of factors, including the cause of the pinched nerve, its location, how long you’ve had symptoms, and whether you’ve made any lifestyle changes to relieve the pressure on the affected nerve.
In mild cases—like the arm that “falls asleep” at night—pinched nerves can go away on their own within minutes or hours. This typically happens when temporary pressure is placed on a nerve due to awkward positioning or posture, and once that pressure is removed, the nerve function returns to normal.
But for more moderate to severe cases, it’s unlikely that the issue will fully resolve without some form of treatment or intervention. The truth is, not all pinched nerves heal themselves—especially if the root cause is structural, like a misaligned spine, herniated disc, or chronic inflammation.
When Can a Pinched Nerve Heal on Its Own?
In general, a pinched nerve might heal on its own if:
- The cause is temporary, such as pressure from sleeping in an awkward position.
- You make immediate ergonomic changes (like improving posture or adjusting your desk setup).
- You stop aggravating the area with repetitive movements or excessive strain.
- Inflammation subsides naturally and you give your body enough rest.
Even then, it’s important to monitor your symptoms. If tingling, pain, or numbness lasts more than a few days, it could be a sign that the nerve is still under pressure—and waiting for it to heal on its own could allow the problem to worsen. Nerves are delicate structures, and long-term compression can lead to lasting damage if not addressed.
Can Chiropractic Care Speed Up Healing?
While some people hope that pinched nerves will go away without treatment, chiropractic care offers a proactive path to recovery. Chiropractors specialize in identifying structural misalignments that could be compressing or irritating nerves. They use safe, controlled adjustments to restore alignment and reduce pressure
In fact, chiropractic care doesn’t just relieve symptoms—it can often help a pinched nerve heal faster than it would on its own. By addressing the root cause and helping the body return to its natural state of alignment and balance, chiropractic adjustments improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
So, while you might wonder, “Can pinched nerves go away on their own?” the better question may be: How can I support my body so it can heal more efficiently?
Why Waiting It Out Might Not Be the Best Option
If you’ve been dealing with tingling, numbness, or weakness for more than a few days, it’s time to reevaluate. Hoping that your symptoms will resolve on their own might lead to unnecessary discomfort or even long-term complications.
Pinched nerves don’t always heal themselves, especially if they’re the result of something like a bulging disc, degenerative changes in the spine, or chronic muscle tightness. In those cases, early intervention is key. The longer a nerve remains compressed, the higher the chance of developing permanent damage or a condition called peripheral neuropathy.
It’s also worth noting that some people may experience fluctuating symptoms—where the pain goes away temporarily, only to return weeks later. This stop-and-start cycle can be frustrating and misleading. Just because the symptoms subside doesn’t mean the problem is fully healed. Can a pinched nerve heal on its own? Maybe—but if the root cause is still present, it’s likely to flare up again.
What Happens If You Don’t Treat a Pinched Nerve?
If you decide to wait and see if a pinched nerve will go away on its own, keep in mind what may happen if the nerve stays compressed:
- Chronic pain or discomfort in the affected area
- Progressive muscle weakness from lack of nerve signal
- Loss of coordination or mobility, especially in hands or feet
- Sleep disruption from ongoing pain or tingling
- Permanent nerve damage in extreme or prolonged cases
While rest and at-home care can certainly help in some cases, ongoing symptoms are your body’s way of signaling that deeper support is needed. Don’t ignore the signs.
Supporting Natural Healing at Home
There are some ways to help support healing if you’re managing a mild pinched nerve and hoping it will resolve naturally:
- Practice good posture: Sit and stand tall to reduce unnecessary stress on your spine and nerves.
- Use ergonomic tools: Adjust your workspace to keep your wrists and spine in better alignment.
- Alternate positions: Avoid staying in the same position for too long, whether sitting or standing.
- Gentle stretching: Loosening up tight muscles can relieve tension that might be compressing a nerve.
- Apply heat or ice: Depending on the cause, alternating between hot and cold therapy may ease inflammation and improve circulation.
These tips might not work for everyone—but they’re a helpful starting point if you’re wondering, will a pinched nerve go away if I just rest and stretch?
When to Seek Help
Here’s a general rule of thumb: If you’ve had symptoms for more than a week without improvement—or they’ve started to get worse—it’s time to see a specialist. Chiropractors in Marietta, GA can assess your spine, joints, and nervous system to determine the exact cause of your symptoms. From there, they’ll create a customized treatment plan to reduce the pressure on your nerves and help your body heal.
Remember, do pinched nerves heal on their own? Sometimes, but you don’t have to wait and wonder. Getting an expert opinion and starting care early could make all the difference in your long-term recovery.
Be Proactive About Pinched Nerves
It’s tempting to hope that pain will pass, especially if it seems manageable at first. But when it comes to nerve issues, taking action early is the smartest move. While some pinched nerves go away on their own, others stick around—and untreated, they can impact your strength, mobility, and overall quality of life.
If you’re in the Marietta area and suspect a pinched nerve is behind your symptoms, don’t wait to find out if it will heal on its own. Reach out to the chiropractors at AICA Orthopedics for a comprehensive evaluation and a plan that supports healing at the source.