With rest and other conservative treatments, most people recover from a pinched nerve within a few days or weeks. Sometimes, surgery is needed to relieve pain from a pinched nerve.

Do pinched nerves go away on their own?

While pinched nerves often heal themselves without treatment, there's no reason why you should suffer in the meantime. Hot and cold therapies are also beneficial, depending on whether the pain is accompanied by swelling — rare with this condition, but possible depending on what caused the injury.

How does a pinched nerve repair itself?

The body repairs itself during sleep, so giving it more time to do so may help reduce symptoms quicker. In many cases, resting the affected area and getting extra sleep is enough to allow the pinched nerve to heal on its own. While treating a pinched nerve, it is also important not to overuse the nerve.