Can physiotherapy help with nerve pain?

Living with nerve pain can be frustrating, limiting, and at times completely overwhelming. Whether your nerve pain presents as shooting pain, sharp electric shocks, burning sensations, pins and needles, numbness, or muscle fatigue, it can quickly interfere with everyday activities, disturb sleep, and reduce your overall quality of life. Because nerve pain behaves differently from other types of discomfort, it often feels unpredictable and difficult to manage without professional support.

Physiotherapy is one of the most effective ways to improve mobility, restore function, and achieve meaningful pain relief for nerve-related conditions. By combining hands-on treatment, targeted exercises, and tailored pain management strategies, physiotherapy helps calm irritated nerves, reduce pressure on the affected area, and support long-term recovery.

At our physiotherapy clinic in Bristol, we take a comprehensive approach to nerve pain, offering a wide range of evidence-based treatments, including physiotherapy, sports massage, deep tissue massage, dry needling, diagnostic ultrasound, shockwave therapy, joint injections, and holistic massage. By blending these specialist services, we provide the tools needed for lasting results and ongoing pain relief.

 

Nerve pain

 

Nerve pain occurs when the nerves themselves are irritated, compressed or damaged. Unlike nociceptive pain, which comes from tissue damage in muscles, joints or connective tissues, nerve-related discomfort tends to be sharper and more intense. Many people describe burning, tingling, or electric sensations travelling along the affected nerve, such as the sciatic nerve in sciatica.

Understanding the severity, location and underlying risk factors is key to creating effective treatment plans. At our clinic, a thorough assessment helps determine whether the nervous system or surrounding tissues are causing the pain.

 

Neuropathic pain

 

Neuropathic pain is a specific type of nerve pain that occurs when irritation, sensitivity, or damage develops within the nervous system itself. This form of pain can arise from injury, diabetes, surgery, inflammation, or long-term nerve compression. Because neuropathic pain originates from within the nerve pathways, it often disrupts the normal pain messages travelling between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. When these pain messages become confused or exaggerated, even mild stimuli can trigger intense discomfort.

People experiencing neuropathic pain may notice:

– Burning or stabbing pain

– Shooting pain down the arm or leg pain

– Altered sensation or numbness in the affected area

– Increased sensitivity to touch or temperature changes

– Changes in muscle function and coordination

 

Treat neuropathic pain

 

To treat neuropathic pain, physiotherapy focuses on reducing irritation around the nerve, improving mobility, restoring normal function, and addressing the underlying cause. Our MSK physiotherapists use manual therapy, specific exercises, and various treatment methods to help relieve symptoms, restore mobility, and prevent further irritation.

In some cases, additional treatment options, such as medication & breath work, dry needling, joint injections, or shockwave therapy, can complement rehabilitation and help reduce inflammation or sensitivity in the surrounding tissues.

 

Pain management

 

Effective pain management involves more than simply targeting the site that is causing pain. Our physiotherapists combine hands-on-techniques, education, lifestyle changes, exercises, and other modalities to help you understand your condition and relieve pain.

We may also use:

– Sports massage or deep tissue massage to address tight muscles and soft tissue restriction

– Holistic massage to help with relaxation and stress-related tension

– Dry needling to reduce muscle tightness and pressure on the affected nerve

– Shockwave therapy for stubborn, chronic areas contributing to nerve irritation

– Diagnostic ultrasound to support accurate assessment, diagnosis, and care plan

 

Peripheral neuropathy

 

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the peripheral nerves that extend from the spinal cord to the limbs become damaged. This may cause muscle fatigue, altered sensation, reduced muscle strength, and difficulty with balance or coordination.

Physiotherapy helps by improving joint mobility, enhancing muscle function, stimulating the nerves, and supporting circulation. Strengthening exercises, balance work, and hands-on techniques can all help reduce symptoms and improve daily function.

 

Physiotherapy treatment

 

A personalised physiotherapy treatment plan may include:

– Manual therapy techniques to improve mobility

– Specific exercises to strengthen weak muscles

– Nerve-gliding exercises to restore normal nerve movement

– Soft tissue therapy to reduce surrounding tension

– Use of assistive devices when required

– Education on posture, ergonomics and lifestyle changes

– Integration of other modalities such as dry needling or shockwave

Coupled with our ability to carry out diagnostic ultrasound scans, we can precisely assess the underlying cause and ensure you receive the tools needed for long-term recovery.

 

Trapped nerve

 

A trapped nerve occurs when surrounding tissues, such as tight muscles, swollen joints, or inflamed soft tissue, place pressure on the nerve, leading to significant nerve pain. This compression disrupts normal nerve function and can result in severe pain, tingling, shooting sensations, or muscle fatigue in the affected area. Because a trapped nerve can produce intense and persistent nerve pain, early assessment and treatment are essential to prevent long-term irritation.

At our clinic, we use hands-on techniques, targeted exercises, sports massage, and dry needling to release tension in the surrounding tissues and reduce inflammation contributing to the trapped nerve. These treatment methods help relieve pressure on the trapped nerve and ease the associated nerve pain. When a more detailed understanding is needed, diagnostic ultrasound allows us to pinpoint the exact structure causing pressure, ensuring that your trapped nerve and nerve pain are treated accurately and effectively.

 

Range of motion

 

Nerve pain can severely limit your range of motion, particularly when the nerve becomes irritated during certain movements. Physiotherapy helps to gradually restore mobility through:

– Joint mobilisation

– Stretching and flexibility exercises

– Nerve-gliding techniques

– Strengthening the supporting muscles

Improving range of motion reduces strain on the nerve and supports long-term function.

 

Muscle weakness

 

When nerves are compressed or irritated, they may struggle to send proper signals to the muscles, leading to weakness. This can affect stability, coordination and everyday movement.

Strengthening exercises, neuromuscular re-education, and manual therapy all work together to restore muscle strength and improve function. Our clinic also provides deep tissue massage and holistic massage to reduce tension and promote recovery.

 

Soft tissue

 

Tight soft tissue, including muscles and fascia, can place additional pressure on irritated nerves. Our therapists use manual therapy techniques, sports massage, dry needling, and shockwave therapy to release tension, improve circulation, and promote healing.

Addressing soft-tissue restrictions can significantly reduce nerve irritation and accelerate healing.

 

Other symptoms

 

Nerve-related problems often present alongside other symptoms, such as:

– Tingling

– Numbness

– Burning sensations

– Fatigue

– Poor balance

– Reduced coordination

Because every individual is different, our treatment plans are tailored to your symptoms, your goals, and the underlying cause of your pain.

 

Book an appointment

 

If you’re experiencing nerve pain, neuropathic pain, a trapped nerve, or symptoms relating to peripheral neuropathy, our physiotherapy clinic in Bristol can help. Our experienced MSK physiotherapists offer a comprehensive assessment, accurate diagnosis, and a tailored treatment approach using all the tools available, manual therapy, sports massage, shockwave therapy, dry needling, ultrasound, and more.

Book an appointment today and take the first step toward reducing pain, improving function, and restoring your quality of life.