As a man ages, certain parts of his body are destined to feel it more than others. This is absolutely true in the case of back pain. A man can be in perfect health but then one day, out of the blue, he turns a certain way and boom - back pain becomes his constant companion for a while. And unfortunately, even the best penis care regimen can’t protect that man from the possibility of penile nerve damage as a result of a serious back injury.

In the aftermath of a back injury, one of the first signs of nerve damage might be a serious lack of penis sensitivity. Things that felt good before suddenly don’t have as much of an ‘oomph.’ And in some cases, there are other signs of penile nerve damage, such as numbness, pain, tingling, or a burning sensation.

How to fight penile nerve damage

The good news is that in many cases, nerve damage can be reversed. The first step is to get to the doctor immediately. Rather than a urologist, a guy will want to see someone who can address the underlying issue first - that’s the back pain. Look for a doctor who specializes in treatment for back pain and start there.

In some cases, the problem will become clear through imaging scans. For instance, a man who has a herniated disc will likely be able to see the problem on those scans. But for some, more in-depth testing will be required to figure out where the problem is and how to fix it.

In the meantime, a man can take steps to avoid aggravating the nerves in the back that lead to the nerves in the penis. One way to do this is to ask the doctor which kind of pain a guy is dealing with. In flexion-intolerant pain, a man can’t handle any positioning that would force him to bend forward. In extension-intolerant pain, it’s the opposite - anything that would force a man to bend backward is cause for serious pain.

Why does this matter? Because if a man wants to continue to have an active sex life while dealing with the usually long recovery from back pain, he needs to know which positions are going to help make that work.

Positions for alleviating back pain

When a man is in bed with a partner, those who suffer from flexion-intolerant pain should look to rear-entry positions that allow him to keep his back straight, as well as modified missionary, where a man is holding all his weight on his hands. For those with extension-intolerant pain, positions include missionary where a man is resting on his elbows above his partner, as well as spooning.

No matter which position a man chooses, the key is to go slow and easy. A guy who is really into it might move his back without meaning to do so. This means a guy must try to always remember that there could be consequences for that - that’s why slow and easy is the name of the game. Enlist the partner’s help to ensure things stay tame.

Other ways to fight nerve damage

Penile nerve damage can be alleviated somewhat with the use of a high-quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). A crème designed with healthy amounts of vitamin B5, C and D is great for cellular health. Look especially for acetyl L carnitine, an amino acid known for protecting the penis from nerve damage. The application of these vitamins and nutrients through a Shea butter base can help combat the nerve damage that can occur from vigorous activity, excessive friction and yes, back injuries.