The term "pinched nerve" is usually used to describe the sensation of intense sharp pain in the neck or other parts of the spine. In fact, in reality, the spinal cord is rarely physically pinched. More often than not, chemical irritation, seizures, or slight stretching of nerves in the body result in burning, electric shock, tingling, and/or stabbing sensations. The condition that is often referred to as a pinched nerve by most people is usually the facet joint of the spine that is irritated, compressed, or inflamed which may cause severe pain and restriction of movement, but is generally not considered a serious medical condition. There are several ways that have the potential to overcome a pinched nerve in the neck, including home care and treatment by professional medical personnel.
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Part 1 of 3: Dealing with Pinched Nerves at Home
Step 1. Wait and be patient
A pinched nerve in the cervical spine (sometimes also referred to as a "neck spasm") usually occurs suddenly and is associated with unusual neck movement or the trauma of a whiplash injury. If it's caused by unusual movement, neck pain may go away on its own, without any treatment. So, be patient for a few hours to a few days waiting for your condition to improve.
- The risk of neck injury is greater when the muscles are cold and tight, so do not move the neck excessively until it is warmed by normal blood flow or by wearing a scarf or collar around the neck if the ambient temperature is cool enough.
- Even if it's painful, moving your neck as you normally would may relieve the pinched nerve naturally.
Step 2. Change your work or exercise routine
If your neck problem is the result of working conditions, talk to your boss so you can move on to other activities or change your workspace to reduce the strain on your neck. Menial jobs such as welding and construction have a high incidence of neck pain. Even so, work in the office is the same if it requires the neck to be constantly twisted or bent. If your neck pain is related to sports activities, the exercises you are doing may be too strenuous or incorrect, so consult a personal trainer.
- Not moving the neck at all (such as lying in bed) is not recommended for neck pain. In order to recover, the muscles and joints of the neck must be moved to improve blood flow there.
- Practice better posture at home and in the office. Make sure the position of your monitor screen is at eye level so that it can reduce tension in the neck.
- Check your sleeping position. Pillows that are too thick may cause neck problems. Also, avoid sleeping on your stomach because it can twist your neck and head, making neck problems worse.
Step 3. Use over-the-counter medications
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin can be a short-term solution for you to deal with pain or inflammation in your neck. Keep in mind that these medications are heavy on the stomach, kidneys, and liver so they should not be used for more than two weeks in a row. In addition, do not use the drug more than the recommended dose.
- The dose of the drug for adults is usually between 200-400 mg, taken every 4-6 hours.
- Other options for neck pain relief are over-the-counter analgesics such as paracetamol (Panadol) or muscle relaxants (such as cyclobenzaprine). However, never use this drug at the same time as NSAIDs.
- Avoid using these medications on an empty stomach because they can irritate the stomach lining and increase the risk of ulcers.
Step 4. Use cold therapy
Ice packs are an effective treatment for almost all minor muscle and bone injuries, including neck pain. Cold therapy should be applied to the most sensitive part of the neck to reduce swelling and pain. Ice packs should be applied for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours for several days, then reduce the frequency as the pain subsides.
- Applying ice to the neck with an elastic bandage will also help control inflammation.
- Always wrap an ice pack or frozen gel bag in a thin towel to avoid frostbite on the skin.
Step 5. Consider soaking in an Epsom salt solution
Soaking the upper back and neck in Epsom salt solution can greatly reduce swelling and inflammation, especially if the pain is caused by muscle tension. The magnesium salt content will help relax the muscles. Do not use water that is too hot (to prevent scalding), and do not soak for more than 30 minutes as the salt water will draw fluids out of the body and potentially cause dehydration.
If the swelling in the neck is severe, continue soaking in cold salt water until the neck feels numb (about 15 minutes)
Step 6. Try gently stretching the neck
Neck stretches may solve neck problems (either reducing pressure on nerves or releasing a pinched facet joint), especially if done early. Move your neck slowly and steadily and take deep breaths as you do so. As a general guide, hold the neck stretch for about 30 seconds and repeat 3-5 times a day.
- In a standing position and looking straight ahead, slowly bend your neck laterally, bringing your ears as close to your shoulders as possible. After resting for a few seconds, stretch the other side.
- Stretching right after a warm bath or warm compress is recommended because it will make the neck muscles more flexible.
Part 2 of 3: Seeking Medical Help
Step 1. Visit a specialist
You may need to see a bone, neurologist, or rheumatologist to make sure your neck pain isn't caused by a serious condition such as a herniated disc, infection (osteomyelitis), osteoporosis, spinal fractures, rheumatic arthritis, or cancer. The above conditions are not common causes of neck pain, but if home treatments and conservative therapy are ineffective, a more serious problem may need to be considered.
- X-rays, bone scans, MRI, CT scans and nerve conduction tests are some of the things that a specialist may use to diagnose neck pain.
- Your doctor may also order blood tests to make sure the problem isn't caused by rheumatic arthritis or a spinal infection such as meningitis.
Step 2. Consider facet joint injection
The neck pain you are experiencing may be due to chronic arthritis. A facet joint injection is the injection of a mixture of anesthetic and corticosteroid into the neck muscles into the inflamed or irritated joint under real-time fluoroscopy (X-ray) guidance. This injection can relieve pain and inflammation quickly. Facet joint injections take 20-30 minutes and results can be felt anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
- Joint injections are carried out a maximum of 3 times in a span of 6 months.
- The pain relief effect of facet joint injections is usually felt on the second or third day after the procedure. Until then, your neck pain may seem to get worse.
- Facet joint injection has the potential to cause complications such as infection, bleeding, localized muscle atrophy, and nerve irritation or damage.
Step 3. Talk about traction with your physiotherapist or doctor
Traction is a technique for opening between the vertebrae. Traction can be performed in many ways, from manual traction using the hands of a physiotherapist, to using a traction table. There is also a home traction device. Always remember to do the traction slowly. If pain or numbness radiates to the arm, stop immediately and see a doctor. Before using any home traction kit, it's best to ask your doctor, chiropractor or physiotherapist for advice so you can choose the one that's best for you.
Step 4. Consider surgery
Surgery to treat neck pain is a last resort and should only be considered if all conservative treatments have proven ineffective, and if the cause must be treated with this invasive procedure. The goals of neck surgery include repair or stabilization of a broken bone (due to trauma or osteoporosis), removal of a tumor, or repair of a herniated disc. If your neck nerve is seriously affected, you should feel stabbing pain, numbness, and/or muscle weakness in your arm and/or hand.
- Spinal surgery may involve the installation of metal rods, pins, or other means of supporting bone structures.
- Surgery to repair a herniated disc often involves joining two or more vertebrae together, which usually reduces the body's range of motion.
- Complications that may occur as a result of spinal surgery include local infection, allergic reactions to anesthetics, nerve damage, paralysis, and chronic pain/swelling.
Part 3 of 3: Using Alternative Therapies
Step 1. Massage the neck
Muscle tension occurs when muscle fibers stretch beyond their limits and tear causing pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms to prevent further damage. Thus, what you call a "pinched nerve" may actually be a tense neck muscle. Deep tissue massage is useful for treating mild to severe neck muscle tension because it can reduce muscle spasms, overcome inflammation, and promote muscle relaxation. Start with a 30-minute massage focusing on the neck and upper back. Let the therapist massage as deep as you can without feeling pain.
- Always drink plenty of water immediately after a massage to flush inflammatory wastes, lactic acid, and toxins from the body. Otherwise, you may experience headaches and mild nausea.
- As an alternative to a professional massage, use a tennis ball or vibrator to massage your neck muscles, or better yet, ask a friend for help. Gently roll a tennis ball around the painful area for 10-15 minutes several times a day until the pain subsides.
Step 2. Visit a chiropractor or osteopath
Chiropractors and osteopaths are spine specialists who focus on restoring normal movement and function of the small spinal joints (facet joints) that connect the spine. Manual joint manipulation (also known as "adjustment") can be done to deal with triggers for inflammation and sharp pain, especially when moving, by loosening a pinched joint, or bringing the facet joint back into its normal position.
- Although one procedure can sometimes relieve a pinched nerve, it usually takes 3-5 procedures to start feeling the results.
- Chiropractors and osteopaths also use a variety of specialized therapies to treat muscle tension that may be more appropriate for your neck problem.
Step 3. Try physiotherapy (physical therapy)
If your neck problem is chronic and caused by weak muscles, poor posture, or a degenerative disease such as osteoarthritis, you may need to consider rehabilitation therapy. A physical therapist can also show you appropriate stretching and strengthening exercises for your neck. Physiotherapy usually needs to be done 2-3 times a week for 4-6 weeks until the effect on chronic spinal problems can be felt.
- If necessary, a physiotherapist can treat pain in the neck muscles using electrotherapy such as therapeutic ultrasound or electrical stimulation of the muscles.
- Exercises that are good for the neck include swimming, certain yoga positions, and weight training, but make sure your injury is treated before doing it.
Step 4. Consider acupuncture
Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific energy points on the skin or muscles to relieve pain and inflammation. Acupuncture for neck pain can be quite effective, especially if it's done since the first symptoms appear. Based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is beneficial for releasing various compounds including endorphins and serotonin which are useful for relieving pain.
- Acupuncture is also claimed to stimulate the flow of energy known as chi.
- Acupuncture is practiced by many healthcare professionals, including doctors, chiropractors, naturopaths, physiotherapists, and massage therapists.
Tips
- Stop smoking because this habit can interfere with blood flow, as a result the spinal muscles and other tissues experience a lack of oxygen and nutrients.
- Avoid reading while leaning in bed using several pillows because it causes the neck to bend too much.
- Avoid carrying bags that can't evenly distribute the load on your shoulders, such as a sling bag, as this can strain your neck. Instead, use a wheeled bag or a backpack with shoulder pads.
