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Have you suddenly noticed a sharp pain in your neck that appeared out of nowhere, especially after getting out of bed in the morning? Quite often this can be the result of a pinched nerve in your neck. If you have never experienced a pinched nerve before, the feeling may be somewhat strange and unknown. Knowing how to heal a pinched nerve in the neck is something I learned many years ago after years of what I consider torture. My worse pinched nerve moment caused a mini panic attack while I was driving and I couldn’t breathe. So you can see the importance of me finding out ways to cure a painful nerve fast.

A pinched nerve in the neck can also be a symptom of cervical radiculopathy, so it’s important to monitor the longevity and frequency of these painful occurrences. The typical pinched nerve for me personally casue very minimal movement of the head without a large amount of discomfort and pain. At times the nerve runs down to what feels like the chest region. As an asthma suffer since childhood, the pain a pinched nerve causes when it runs down the shoulders and back is very similar to the stabbing chest pains I experience form Asthma.

Symptoms Of A Pinched Nerve In The Neck

A pinched nerve can also cause a searing, burning pain that may travel all the way down the arm. The nerve is pinched as a disc in the spinal column puts pressure on the nerve root nearest the disc. If not properly treated, this type of nerve pain can result in permanent nerve damage. When a nerve is compressed by a disc, it becomes inflamed and this is what actually causes the pain.

When a nerve is inflamed and the nerve root is being pressured by a slipped or herniated disc, the pain can become intense. In addition to the burning or searing sensation, the arm may also experience numbness or tingling. If the nerve inflammation cannot be treated with anti-inflammatory or physical therapy, it may become necessary to perform surgery. Most of the time, a herniated disc which is causing a pinched nerve can be treated without surgery. Quite often, chiropractic can be helpful.

Commonly Affected Pinched Nerve Zones

Pinched nerves can occur in the neck, the elbow, the back and the wrist. There are typically different causes for each of these, including a herniated disc, bone spurs, arthritis, or spinal stenosis. When a nerve in the wrist or elbow becomes inflamed, it may be the result of cubital or carpal tunnel syndrome. Pinched nerves may also be caused by bruises, injury, or swelling during pregnancy.

A pinched nerve is being forcibly stretched or compressed. There are several reasons for this and treatment will depend on the cause and location of the nerve issue.

Symptoms depend on which nerve is being pinched. Common symptoms include numbness, pain, muscle weakness, and tingling. The muscle weakness is usually along the nerve path and can become severe if the inflammation is not treated.

When a nerve in the neck is pinched, there is usually both stiffness and pain and the pain will generate down the length of the arm. If the affected nerve is in the lower back, there will typically be stiffness and pain and the pain will radiate down one leg. If the nerve is in the wrist, the index and middle fingers, along with the thumb are usually affected. There may also be weakness when trying to grip an object. If the nerve pinched is in the elbow, the pain will generally radiate down the forearm into the small fingers and the ring finger of the hand.

How To Treat A Nerve That’s Pinched In The Neck

The Method I Use From Home

I’m not one for visiting massage therapists or a Chiropractor on a regular basis. For two reasons; 1. I have a family of 5 and money is often very tight, so an expensive trip to the Chiro is for extreme emergencies only. 2. I work two jobs which both require a lot of my time. So finding time to schedule in a appointment is not always appropriate.   The Best massager for pinched nerves

However what I find to be the best way to treat a pinched nerve in the neck or shoulder is via a heated handheld massager. I own several neck massaging devices because my day job requires a lot of neck movement and looking up (Painter). However when it comes to curing a pinched nerve fast I always go to my percussion massager. This is because I can focus on just one area wherever the nerve is causing problems, turn on the heat and dig in deep to relieve the squashed nerve.

As a way to generate a deeper massage I apply Tiger Balm or something similar to my neck area. I find by doing this I get almost instant relief and the heat of the Tiger Balm will continue to penetrate my muscles and continue to loosen them up. The only downside to this is you have to deal with the strong smell. I always do this before bed and it does annoy my Wife, but she knows it has to be done.

The Best Way To Fix An Aching Pinched Nerve

One of the best methods for relieving pain from a pinched nerve is chiropractic treatment. The chiropractor will use treatment methods which don’t include expensive surgery or drugs. The chiropractor begins by taking a complete medical history of the patient. This provides them with an understanding of the patient’s overall health. The chiropractor will evaluate the patient by conducting diagnostic tests. These tests will help determine the cause and location of the nerve problem. Once the chiropractor determines the cause and location, they will then develop a treatment plan to help relieve the patient’s pain and cure the problem.

If the pain is caused by a herniated disc, chiropractic treatment may not be the answer. As we age, the spongy discs that cushion each of our vertebrae dry out and become brittle. If there is a sudden trauma or injury to the spine, it can cause one of these cushions to bulge out or even break open. This bulged or injured cushion is what is pressing on a nerve and causes the pain of a herniated disc. If a patient is experiencing numbness or weakness in one or both legs, they may have a herniated disc. Severe cases can even result in a loss of bladder control.

Treatment for a herniated disc depends on the severity of the injury. Conservative treatment includes anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, rest, and heat. If the injury is severe or includes more than one disc, surgery may be recommended. A doctor may conduct an MRI to determine the extent and placement of the disc injury and nerve inflammation.

A pinched nerve in the neck may be successfully treated with chiropractic methods. Other effective treatment for a pinched nerve in the neck include anti-inflammatory, heat packs, neck and shoulder massagers and steroid injections.

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