Generally, a pinched nerve in the shoulder is caused by excessive pressure due to repetitive movements or staying in one position for too long. If this happens, the shoulder should be rested to have time to recover. In addition, you can also reduce the pain that arises by taking over-the-counter pain relievers and compressing the shoulder with a cold pad. If recommended by your doctor, you can also take oral corticosteroids, take steroid injections, do physical therapy, or apply other methods to improve shoulder health. In some rare cases, doctors will perform surgery to treat a pinched nerve due to pressure from bone, joint disc, or injured tissue.
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Method 1 of 3: Relaxing and Preventing Pinched Nerves
Step 1. Rest your shoulders and don't use them
Do this to reduce the pain that appears, while giving the shoulder a chance to heal. In particular, stop doing any activity that is pinching your nerves!
- For example, a nerve in your shoulder may be pinched after you lift too heavy a load while cleaning the house. While the recovery process is in progress, avoid these activities!
- Sleeping on your side can also compress the nerves in your shoulders due to excessive pressure. Therefore, try changing your sleeping position to reduce the negative impact.
Step 2. Take anti-inflammatory drugs
Aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium can help reduce pain from a pinched nerve. Although sold freely in pharmacies, still consult your doctor to get the most appropriate drug recommendations, especially if you are currently taking other drugs.
For example, your doctor may recommend aspirin if you are taking blood-thinning medications
Step 3. Apply a cold compress to the shoulder
First, wrap a cold pad, a bag of ice cubes, or even a pack of frozen vegetables in a towel. Then, place the cold compress on your shoulder for 10-15 minutes to relieve and cool it.
Do not apply ice to the skin directly. Be careful, this action can cause new problems and pain
Step 4. Adjust your posture to reduce pressure on your shoulders
When standing or sitting, always try to roll your shoulders back instead of bending them forward. Bending or pinching the shoulder can stop blood flow to the nerves and make your condition worse. If you have trouble maintaining this position, try purchasing a specialized shoulder support device at an online or offline health store to improve your posture.
While sleeping, place your hands on the pillow and let your shoulders relax. Stretching or bending your shoulders forward while sleeping can make your condition worse
Step 5. Do the shoulder stretch
Try doing a shoulder shrug, which is standing with your feet perfectly flat on the floor, then shrugging your shoulders as close to your ears as possible. Perform this stretch 5-10 times to relax the pinched nerve.
- In addition, you can also do a shoulder roll, which is to rotate your shoulders clockwise for 5-10 times. As you do this, make sure your shoulders are raised as high as possible until they are close to your ears.
- Perform these stretches at least once a day to relieve tension in the shoulder area.
Method 2 of 3: Performing Medical Treatment
Step 1. Take oral corticosteroids
Doctors can inject corticosteroids or prescribe them in pill form to reduce pain and swelling caused by pinched nerves. In addition, the doctor may also ask you to take over-the-counter pain relievers at pharmacies. Remember, always follow the dosage recommendations given by the doctor and never take the drug in excess!
Some of the side effects of using corticosteroids are an increase in blood sugar and the risk of infection, especially if the drug is used long term
Step 2. Put on the shoulder support
Your doctor may also ask you to wear a special shoulder support to limit your movement to allow your shoulder to heal faster. Supposedly, the doctor will also explain the duration of its use.
Step 3. Work with a physical therapist
A skilled physical therapist can help develop an exercise program to strengthen and stretch muscles, and release tension in pinched nerves. Because repetitive or stress-prone movement can squeeze your nerves, the exercises suggested by a therapist are an important part of your recovery process.
Ask your doctor for a referral to a physical therapist if you haven't found the right option
Step 4. Perform a deep tissue massage by a trained masseuse
Before the massage process begins, explain that you have a pinched nerve in the shoulder area. Then, the masseur can help release the tension around the shoulders and neck to deal with the disorder.
Browse the internet to find masseurs with experience in treating shoulder problems. If you want, you can also ask those closest to you for recommendations for a trusted masseur
Step 5. Perform shoulder surgery, if necessary
Surgical procedures are generally only performed if other methods have not improved the condition of the shoulder after a few weeks or months. The doctor will determine whether the surgical procedure can be more beneficial than other treatment methods.
- Surgery may be performed if the pinched nerve is caused by pressure from the bone, joint disc, or scar. Or, if there is an injury to the nerve in question.
- Before surgery, the doctor will ask for information about the medicines you are taking or any medical disorders you have. Then, the doctor will give you the opportunity to ask questions.
- Make sure you ask about postoperative shoulder care!
Method 3 of 3: Diagnosing a Pinched Nerve
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
A pinched nerve is usually accompanied by specific symptoms. That is why, a pinched shoulder nerve will generally make you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Numbness
- Pain that radiates to the outside of the shoulder
- Tingling feeling
- Muscle weakness
Step 2. Perform a medical examination
Ask your doctor for help to examine the condition of your shoulder and analyze your symptoms. Chances are, your doctor will perform several different tests to identify if your problem is caused by a pinched nerve, including:
- Nerve conduction studies. This procedure uses electrodes or battery poles that are attached to the skin, and is performed to measure the speed of your nerve signals
- Electromyography (EMG). This procedure uses needle electrodes to analyze the electrical activity in your muscles
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This procedure can show whether or not the nerves are compressed in your shoulder
Step 3. Check for other neurological conditions, if necessary
In fact, shoulder pain may also be caused by other medical disorders. For example, shoulder pain can be caused by a pinched nerve in the neck area. If your doctor doesn't find a problem with the nerves in your shoulder, he or she will likely perform additional tests on the nerves in other areas.
