Buzz
The term 'pinched nerve' is often used to describe a sharp, intense pain that occurs in the neck or other parts of the spine. However, in reality, spinal nerves are rarely physically compressed. Instead, they are mostly irritated chemically, struck, or slightly stretched within the body, typically causing sensations like burning, tingling, numbness, and/or aching. Most cases of pinched nerves are caused by pressure, irritation, or inflammation on the joint surfaces in the spine, a condition that results in severe pain and limited mobility, though it is generally not considered serious. There are various methods available to alleviate the pinched nerve in the neck, including some at-home care techniques and treatments from healthcare professionals.
Steps
At-Home Treatment for a Pinched Nerve in the Neck
Wait and be patient. A pinched nerve in the neck (often referred to as a stiff neck) typically appears suddenly due to abnormal neck movement or an injury (such as whiplash). If it is due to unusual neck movement, the pain usually resolves quickly without treatment. In that case, being patient for a few hours to a few days is best.
- The risk of neck injury is higher if the muscles are tight and cold, so avoid excessive neck movement until the muscles warm up through normal circulation or by wrapping a scarf (or wearing a turtleneck) if the surrounding temperature is cool.
- Continuing normal neck movement while in pain can help naturally heal the pinched nerve.
Adjust your working or exercise habits. If neck issues are related to your work environment, it's important to discuss the possibility of switching to a different task or adjusting your working conditions to avoid further compression of the neck. Jobs like welding or construction often have a higher incidence of neck pain, but office workers can experience it too if they are constantly twisting or bending their necks. If neck pain arises from exercise, it could be due to overexertion or improper posture. In such cases, consulting a personal trainer is advisable.
- Complete inactivity (like lying down to rest) is not recommended for neck pain, as muscles and joints need movement and blood flow to heal.
- Maintain good posture at both work and home. Ensure your computer screen is at eye level to avoid straining or twisting your neck.
- Evaluate your sleeping conditions. A pillow that is too thick can lead to neck issues. Avoid sleeping on your stomach, as this can worsen neck twisting.
Take over-the-counter medication. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or Aspirin can provide temporary relief for neck pain or inflammation. However, these medications can be harmful to your stomach, kidneys, and liver, so they should not be used for more than two weeks in a row. Never exceed the recommended dosage.
- The typical dosage for adults is 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours, taken orally.
- You can also use over-the-counter pain relievers like Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or muscle relaxants like Cyclobenzaprine to alleviate neck pain. However, avoid combining these with NSAIDs.
- Be careful not to take medication on an empty stomach, as it can irritate your stomach lining and increase the risk of ulcers.
Apply ice packs. Ice therapy is an effective treatment for most minor musculoskeletal injuries, including neck pain. Apply cold compresses to the most painful areas of your neck to reduce swelling and discomfort. Use ice for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours for several days, and reduce the frequency as the pain and inflammation subside.
- Applying ice with an elastic bandage may help control inflammation.
- Always wrap the ice or gel pack in a thin cloth to prevent cold burns on your skin.
Consider taking an Epsom salt bath. Soaking your upper back and neck in an Epsom salt bath can significantly reduce pain and swelling, especially if it's muscle strain. The magnesium in the salt helps relax muscles. Avoid using water that is too hot (to prevent burns), and don't soak for more than 30 minutes, as the salt water may dehydrate you by drawing out moisture.
- If swelling is primarily the issue, ice the neck after the warm Epsom salt bath until the area feels numb (around 15 minutes).
Try gentle neck stretches. Neck stretches can help alleviate neck issues (reducing pressure on nerves or easing compression on spinal joints), particularly if the problem is identified early. Move slowly and steadily, breathing deeply while stretching your neck. Generally, hold the stretch for 30 seconds, repeating 3-5 times a day.
- Stand up straight, look ahead, and gently tilt your neck to one side until your ear is as close to your shoulder as possible. After a brief pause, switch to the other side.
- It is best to stretch your neck after a warm shower or using a warm compress, as this helps loosen the muscles.
Seek medical assistance
Consult a medical specialist. You may need to visit a medical professional such as an orthopedic doctor, neurologist, or rheumatologist to rule out serious underlying causes of neck pain, such as herniated discs, infections (osteomyelitis), osteoporosis, fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, or even cancer. While these are not common causes of neck pain, it's important to investigate more serious issues if home care and traditional treatments aren't effective.
- X-rays, bone scans, MRI, CT scans, and nerve conduction studies are some of the diagnostic tools specialists may use to assess neck pain.
- Blood tests may be ordered to screen for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or infections affecting the spine such as meningitis.
Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about spinal traction methods. Spinal traction is a technique used to increase the space between vertebrae. It can be performed in various ways, such as the therapist manually stretching your neck or using a traction table. There are also home-made traction devices available. Always remember to apply gentle pressure. If you experience pain or numbness that radiates down your arm, stop immediately and consult your doctor. It's best to seek professional advice before using any home traction devices to ensure you're choosing the right method for your condition.
Consider facet joint injections. Neck pain may be caused by chronic arthritis. Facet joint injections are performed under fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray guidance), with a needle passing through the neck muscles to the affected facet joints in the spine. A mixture of anesthetics and corticosteroids is then injected to quickly relieve pain and inflammation. These injections may last several weeks to months.
- Facet joint injections should not exceed three times within a six-month period.
- Pain relief typically starts on the second or third day after treatment, although the neck pain may intensify slightly beforehand.
- Potential risks of facet joint injections include infection, bleeding, muscle atrophy, and nerve irritation or injury.
Consider surgery. Surgery for neck pain should be a last resort and only considered after other treatments have failed or when a condition requires a non-invasive surgical procedure. Reasons for neck surgery may include the need to stabilize a fractured spine (due to trauma or osteoporosis), remove a tumor, or repair a herniated disc. If the issue affects nerves in the neck, you may experience severe pain, numbness, and/or weakness in the arms or hands.
- Spinal surgery may involve the use of metal rods, pins, or other devices to support the spine's structure.
- Herniated disc surgery often involves fusing two or more vertebrae together, which may reduce the range of motion.
- Potential complications from spinal surgery include infection, allergic reactions to anesthesia, nerve damage, paralysis, and chronic pain or swelling.
Use alternative therapies
Neck massage. Muscle strain occurs when individual muscle fibers are stretched beyond their limit and then tear, leading to pain, inflammation, and some degree of defense mechanism (muscle spasms to prevent further damage). Therefore, "pinched nerves" may actually be caused by strained neck muscles. Deep tissue massage is helpful in mild to moderate muscle strain cases as it aids in relieving muscle spasms, reducing inflammation, and promoting relaxation. Start with a 30-minute session, focusing on the neck and upper back. Allow the therapist to apply deep pressure that you can tolerate without tensing up.
- Always drink plenty of water after the massage to flush out the byproducts of inflammation, lactic acid, and toxins from the body. Not drinking water could lead to mild headaches or nausea.
- As an alternative to professional massage, you can roll a tennis ball or a vibrating device on your neck, or better yet, have someone else do it for you. Roll the ball slowly around the painful neck area for 10-15 minutes, several times a day, until the pain subsides.
Consult a chiropractor or orthopedic specialist. Chiropractors and osteopaths are spine specialists, focusing on restoring normal movement and function for the small joints in the spine that connect the vertebrae, called facet joints. Manual adjustments can be used to relieve pressure or realign slightly misaligned joints in the neck, which may be causing inflammation and sharp pain, particularly during movement. Neck traction can also help alleviate discomfort.
- Although sometimes a single spinal adjustment can fully resolve nerve compression, usually 3-5 treatments are required before significant results are seen.
- Chiropractors and osteopaths also utilize a variety of techniques aimed at treating muscle strain, which may be more suitable for the neck tissues.
Consider physical therapy. If neck problems are recurring (chronic) and are caused by muscle weakness, poor posture, or degenerative issues like osteoporosis, you should consider rehabilitative therapies. A physical therapist can guide you through specific exercises and strengthening routines tailored for your neck. Physical therapy treatments generally occur 2-3 times per week over a 4-6 week period to have a positive impact on chronic spinal issues.
- If necessary, the therapist may use electrical therapy to treat neck muscle pain, such as ultrasound treatment or electrical muscle stimulation.
- Beneficial exercises for the neck include swimming, certain yoga poses, and weight training, although it's important to ensure that the injury has healed before starting.
Consider acupuncture. Acupuncture is a procedure that involves inserting very thin needles into specific energy points in the skin/muscles to reduce pain and inflammation. Acupuncture for neck pain can be effective, especially if performed when the first symptoms appear. Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, acupuncture works by releasing various substances, including endorphins and serotonin, to alleviate pain.
- Acupuncture also helps stimulate the flow of energy.
- Acupuncture is performed by a variety of healthcare providers, including doctors, chiropractors, naturopaths, physical therapists, and massage therapists.
Advice
- Avoid reading in bed with several pillows under your head as this can cause excessive neck strain.
- Don't carry bags that unevenly distribute weight on your shoulder, such as a single-strap crossbody bag, as this can stress your neck. Instead, opt for a rolling bag or a traditional backpack with padded straps.
- Quit smoking, as smoking reduces blood circulation, depriving your spine and other tissues of oxygen and essential nutrients.
Warning
- It is best to consult a doctor, chiropractor, or orthopedic specialist to determine the cause of back/spinal pain or injury.
