Treatment of Pinched Nerve in the Neck in NJ

Pinched Nerve in the Neck Doctor

Have you ever served a great overhand in tennis only to feel a sharp, pinching sensation in your neck? Have you painted a room and felt the same intense sensation at the junction between your neck and shoulder? You may have developed a pinched nerve that needs proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment to resolve. Your pain management doctor at Redefine Healthcare has answers and looks forward to relieving you of the pain associated with a pinched nerve in the neck. Call today for an appointment.

Causes of Pinched Neck Nerve

Sports or work injuries often result in a herniated disc, as well. The intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers, cushioning your spine from jarring when you walk or run. The rigid outer ring protects a soft gel-like center. This gel may leak or bulge against the outer lining if the disc compresses from an injury or slowly loses height due to loss of water and age-related stiffening of the outer shell.

When the disc becomes stiff or compressed, the vertebrae shift closer together to rub against each other and the surrounding nerves. Your body tries to compensate for the loss of disc material by producing more bone, but this action results in bone spurs, which make the bone inflexible while pinching your nerves as well.

Symptoms of Nerve Impingement in the Neck

Pain from this condition usually starts in your neck but often radiates down into your arm.
Other symptoms include:

Sharp, burning sensations, especially when making movements such as turning your head or extending your neck

Muscle weakness in your shoulder, arm, or hand

Numbness or loss of sensation

Pins and needles or tingling sensations often in your hand or fingers

Who’s at Risk for Pinched Nerve in the Neck?

Many jobs or sports activities can contribute to or aggravate strained or compressed nerves. Those especially susceptible include:

Tennis players

Basketball players

Painters

Golfers

Construction workers

Store employees who stock shelves

Hair stylists

Those involved in an automobile accident, especially if struck from behind

Childcare workers

Dental hygienists

Anyone who must work with their arms and hands at or above chest level or who reach above their heads often

Ignoring the nerve pain in neck symptoms and discomfort can lead to long-term or permanent nerve injury. A neck injury can lead to permanent numbness, muscle weakness, or a chronic pain condition. It can also lead to limited mobility in your neck or arms. Stave off permanent disability by getting the best treatment for a pinched nerve from a respected and knowledgeable expert at Redefine Healthcare.

How to Treat a Pinched Nerve in the Neck

Most individuals improve with time and appropriate self-care and practice proper lifting techniques that your doctor provides. Movement and home treatments help if the pinched nerve discomfort returns. If you have a trapped nerve in the neck and your pain lingers for weeks or months, even with suitable home treatments, your doctor may recommend more aggressive treatment.

Home treatment options include:

Rest and avoiding the activities that cause symptoms to flare
Ice packs to numb pain
Heating pads or warm, moist compresses to loosen tightened and cramped muscles
Over-the-counter pain medicine to relieve discomfort
Careful movement of arms and neck to maintain your flexibility without aggravating the discomfort

Your doctor may prescribe:

Stronger pain relievers if your discomfort is severe
Narcotics, although your pain may not require them
Muscle relaxants to reduce nerve compression
Short-term oral corticosteroids that help reduce swelling
Steroid injections directly at the site of discomfort to minimize swelling and provide pain relief
A cervical collar to let muscles relax and limit neck movement
Physical therapy to provide therapeutic massage, improve flexibility and range of motion, and strengthen your neck muscles

Other Pinched Nerve Treatments for the Neck

If your nerve pain in neck persist despite extensive conservative treatment, your Redefine Healthcare pain management specialist may recommend minimally invasive surgical treatments. These may include removing the compromised disc or bone spurs or fusing vertebrae to provide stability and proper alignment. Fusion limits the motion of a degenerated section of your spine. Your doctor may insert a spacer or cage in the place of the removed disc and graft bone to this area to provide extra support.