Did you know that seven out of ten people will experience neck pain in their lives? Casual neck pain can be a bother, but discomfort caused by a pinched neck nerve can be downright unbearable. But what is a pinched nerve?
And what are the pinched nerve in neck symptoms? If you want to know the answer to these questions, and more, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the condition and some treatment options. Let’s get started!
What Is a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve refers to damage that occurs to a specific nerve, or a set of nerves. Specifically, it’s caused by compression of the nerve. The compression puts pressure on the nerve which leads to inflammation and pain.
There are a lot of causes for pinched nerves. One cause is repetitive motion. However, it can also be caused by holding one position for a very long time.
Serious cases of pinched nerves can also be caused by an injury that’s left untreated.
What Are Pinched Nerve in Neck Symptoms?
Pain around the area of your neck is the most obvious pinched nerve symptom. However, it’s far from the only one:
- Radiating pain that spreads down your back or other areas
- Numbness or decreased sensitivity around the area
- Burning feeling or a sensation of pins and needles under the skin
- Muscle weakness in activities that were once easy
- Feeling like your neck just fell asleep
Often you will find that these symptoms get worse when you move your body in certain ways. For example, try straining your neck or turning your head to one side.
If you notice the neck pain getting worse, this is a good sign that you have a pinched nerve in your neck or back area.
How Do You Treat a Pinched Nerve?
Treatment for a pinched nerve depends on two factors: the cause of the injury and the severity. In minor cases, it may be possible for the pinched nerve to heal on its own.
In these cases, all you need to do is rest the areas for a few days. However, if the neck pain symptoms persist, or get worse, you should see a doctor that specializes in neck pain.
Typically, they’ll recommend a pain management combination of anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and physical therapy.
However, in cases where scar tissue and bone or disc material are pressing against the nerve surgery may be required to fix it.
Appreciate Learning About Pinched Nerves? Keep Reading
We hope this article helped you learn about pinched nerve in neck symptoms. As you can see, sometimes this condition will go away on its own with rest and patience.
But, if you find the pain persisting it’s important to schedule an appointment with a professional today. Did you find this article helpful? If the answer is yes, continue reading to find more informative articles just like it.
