Can Physical Therapy Help Nerve Damage?

What Are Nerves?

Nerves are components of the nervous system that transmit signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. These signals help control sensation, muscle movement, and even involuntary functions. 

When nerves are damaged, communication along these pathways may be disrupted, potentially leading to pain, loss of function, or altered sensation.

Your Nervous System is Composed of Two Parts:

1. Your central nervous system (CNS) includes your brain and spinal cord.
2. Your peripheral nervous system (PNS) connects your central nervous system to the rest of your body.

Your Peripheral Nervous System is Separated into 3 Subdivisions:

1. Motor nerves affect your muscles and movement
2. Sensory nerves transmit messages to and from your skin
3. Autonomic nerves affect your internal organs

Although any kind of nerve damage can have a significant impact on us, peripheral neuropathy can greatly affect our quality of life.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a medical condition that affects the peripheral nerves, which are located outside the brain and spinal cord. These nerves carry messages to and from your limbs and organs. When these nerves are damaged, you may experience neuropathic pain, tingling, numbness, or chronic pain in the affected limb and other affected areas.

Symptoms

Symptoms of peripheral nerve damage may include the following:

• Numbness, tingling, or a pins‑and‑needles sensation
• Sharp, burning, or shooting nerve pain
• Muscle pain, or reduced muscle strength
• Changes in range of motion or difficulty using the body comfortably
• Loss of coordination or balance

In cases of autonomic neuropathy, damaged nerves may affect the involuntary bodily functions, like heart rate and digestion.

Symptoms may vary from person to person and according to the severity of the nerve injury.

Causes and Risk Factors for Nerve Damage

There are many possible causes and risk factors for nerve damage, including:

• Medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, or autoimmune disorders
• Hand or wrist trauma or sports injury that compresses or stretches a nerve
• Repetitive motion or prolonged pressure on nerves
• Infections
• Certain medications
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Exposure to toxins

People with chronic illnesses or prolonged usage of certain substances may be more likely to experience persistent nerve pain or neuropathic pain.

How Does Physical Therapy Help Treat Nerve Damage?

A physical therapist can design a treatment plan tailored to your symptoms and diagnosis. Components of physical therapy may include:

1. Motion exercises & nerve gliding

Gentle motion exercises help maintain or restore the range of motion and encourage nerves to glide within surrounding tissues. This can relieve pain, reduce stiffness, and improve nerve function.

2. Strengthening exercises

Targeted strengthening exercises can help improve muscle strength in the affected limb, reduce muscle pain, and support better posture to protect healing nerves.

3. Soft tissue manipulation

Using hands‑on techniques, soft tissue manipulation helps loosen tight fascia or muscles that may be compressing nerves, helping to alleviate pain or numbness.

4. Electrical stimulation

Therapies such as electrical stimulation or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may be used to modulate pain signals and encourage nerve recovery. Many patients report that TENS helps to reduce pain and achieve pain relief during rehabilitation.

5. Functional training & motion-based activities

Physical therapy techniques include training for everyday tasks that may involve coordination, balance, and fine motor control, a key for recovery from nerve injury, and improving overall function.

Can Physical Therapy Help Prevent Progression of Nerve Damage?

Yes, a consistent physical therapy approach may help slow or even halt the progression of symptoms by enhancing nerve function, supporting muscles, and promoting circulation in the affected area. When combined with medical management of underlying conditions (e.g., diabetes control), this comprehensive approach can be instrumental in managing chronic pain or neuropathy long‑term.

However, in some cases, particularly where nerve damage is severe or unresponsive to conservative therapies, surgery may be an appropriate option. In such cases, physical therapy may still be crucial both before and after surgery to support recovery and preserve range of motion and strength around the surgical site.

Take Back Control of Your Life

Ready to explore whether physical therapy could ease your nerve damage symptoms and support your recovery journey? At Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow, our skilled team of physical therapists in Atlanta and Marietta, GA, develops personalized rehab plans tailored to your needs. 

We blend strengthening exercises, motion and nerve gliding activities, electrical stimulation, and soft tissue work to heal nerve damage, reduce pain, and restore your function. Let us help you move toward improved nerve function, muscle strength, and a better quality of life. Contact us today!