How to treat a pinched nerve in the neck

Author: Randy Alexander
Date Of Creation: 24 April 2021
Update Date: 1 July 2024
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INSTANT RELIEF - How to Treat A Pinched Neck Nerve - Physical Therapy Exercises
Video: INSTANT RELIEF - How to Treat A Pinched Neck Nerve - Physical Therapy Exercises

Content

The term "pinched nerve" is often used to describe a sharp, sharp pain in the neck or other parts of the spine. However, in reality, the spinal nerve is rarely physically pinched. Instead, they are primarily chemically irritated, bumped or slightly dilated in the body, often causing pain described as burning, numbness, tingling and / or stinging pain. Most nerve compression is caused by compression, irritation, or inflammation of the spinal joint, which causes severe pain and limited mobility, but is generally not considered a disease. serious. There are many methods of getting rid of a pinched nerve in the neck, including some home care techniques and treatments from a healthcare professional.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Home treatment for a pinched nerve in the neck


  1. Wait and be patient. A pinched nerve in the cervical spine (often called a stiff neck) usually appears suddenly and is caused by abnormal neck movement or trauma (such as a neck shock injury). If it is due to abnormal neck movements, neck pain usually goes away quickly on its own without treatment.) If so, wait patiently for a few hours to a few days for best.
    • The risk of neck injury is higher if the muscles are tight and numb, so don't move your neck too hard until the muscles are warm with normal blood circulation or by wrapping a scarf (or wearing a turtleneck) if the heat cool environment.
    • Continued normal neck movements during pain can naturally cure a pinched nerve.

  2. Adjust work or exercise habits. If your neck problem is caused by working conditions, talk to your supervisor about changing to another activity or adjusting the work condition so that the neck does not get pinched. Blue-collar jobs such as welding and construction have relatively high rates of neck pain, but can also be experienced by office workers if the neck is constantly crooked or bent. If your neck pain is exercise-related, you may have been exercising too hard or your posture is incorrect. At this point you should consult your personal trainer.
    • Complete avoidance of activity (eg, lying down) is not recommended for neck pain because muscles and joints need to move and receive a large amount of blood to heal.
    • Maintain good posture at work and at home. Make sure the computer monitor is at eye level to prevent neck strain or sprains.
    • Evaluate your sleeping conditions. Pillows that are too thick can cause neck problems. Avoid sleeping on your stomach as your head and neck will be more severely crooked.

  3. Take over-the-counter medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin may be a temporary solution to pain or inflammation in the neck. Remember, these drugs can damage the stomach, kidneys and liver. Therefore, you should not take the drug for more than 2 weeks in a row. Absolutely do not take more than the recommended dose.
    • Dosage for adults is usually 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours and taken by mouth.
    • Or you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or a muscle relaxer like Cyclobenzaprine to relieve neck pain. However, absolutely do not take with NSAIDs.
    • Be careful not to take it on an empty stomach as it can irritate the stomach lining and increase the risk of ulcers.
  4. Use a cold compress. An ice pack is an effective treatment for almost any minor musculoskeletal injury, including neck pain. A cold compress should be applied to the most painful part of the neck to reduce swelling and pain. Apply ice for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours for a few days, then reduce the frequency as the pain and inflammation subside.
    • Applying an ice cube to your neck with an elastic bandage can help control inflammation.
    • Always wrap the frozen ice cube or gel pack in a thin towel to prevent cold burns on your skin.
  5. Consider taking a bath with Epsom salt. Soaking your upper back and neck in a bath with Epsom salt can significantly reduce pain and swelling, especially if you're experiencing muscle tension pain. The magnesium in the salt helps relax muscles. Do not take a bath that is too hot (to avoid burns) and do not soak for more than 30 minutes as the salt water will draw water out of your body and can cause dehydration.
    • If your neck is mostly swollen, you should use a cold compress after taking a warm salt bath until your neck feels numb (about 15 minutes).
  6. Try gently stretching your neck. Neck dilatation can help treat neck problems (reduce pressure on nerves or reduce pressure on the surface of the vertebrae), especially if the problem is caught early. Move slowly, evenly, and breathe deeply while stretching your neck. In general, keep the neck stretch for 30 seconds and then repeat 3-5 times a day.
    • Stand up straight and look forward, and slowly tilt your neck to the side so that your ears are as close to your shoulders as possible. After a few seconds of rest, move to the other side.
    • You should relax your neck immediately after taking a warm bath or applying moist heat, as the neck muscles will be more flexible now.
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Part 2 of 3: Getting medical help

  1. See a medical professional. You may need to see a medical professional such as an orthopedist, neurologist or a rheumatologist to be screened for the most serious causes of neck pain, such as disc herniation, inflammation. infection (osteomyelitis), osteoporosis, spinal fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, or cancer. These problems are not a common cause of neck pain, but if home care and traditional therapies are ineffective, more serious problems need to be examined.
    • X-rays, bone scans, MRIs, CT scans, and neurotransmitters are all methods that specialists can use to diagnose neck pain.
    • Your doctor may order blood tests to screen for rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory diseases of the spine such as meningitis.
  2. Consider superficial injection of vertebrae. Neck pain can be caused by chronic arthritis. The surface injection of a vertebrae is performed using a real-time fluoroscopy (X-ray) guide needle through the neck muscles and into the inflamed or irritated spinal joint, followed by an injection of anesthetic mixture and Corticosteroids help to quickly relieve local pain and inflammation. Small joint injections can take 20-30 minutes and results can last from weeks to months.
    • Only superficial vertebral injections should be administered 3 times within 6 months.
    • The superficial injection of a vertebral joint usually provides pain relief starting the second or third day of treatment. Before that, neck pain may get a little worse.
    • Potential complications of a vertebral joint injection include infection, hemorrhage, local muscle atrophy, and nerve irritation / damage.
  3. Talk to your doctor or physiotherapist about spinal stretching. Spinal stretching is a technique of expanding the space between the vertebrae. Pulling of the spine can take many forms, for example a therapist will use his hand to pull your neck or use a scissors. There are also homemade spine-pulling devices. Always remember to pull your neck slowly. If pain or numbness spreads to your arm, stop immediately and see a doctor. Before using a neck puller at home, it's best to consult your doctor, chiropractor or physiotherapist for help in choosing the best option.
  4. Consider surgery. Neck pain surgery is a last resort and should only be considered after other traditional therapies are ineffective or the cause needs to be addressed with noninvasive surgery. Reasons for needing surgery on the neck may be to restore or stabilize spinal fractures (from trauma or osteoporosis), to remove a tumor, or to restore a herniated disc. If the problem is affecting the nerves in your neck, you will experience soreness, numbness and / or muscle weakness, and weak arms and / or hands.
    • Spinal surgery may involve the use of metal rods, pins or other devices to support the structure.
    • Repairing a ruptured disc usually involves joining two or more bones (vertebrae) together, often reducing range of motion.
    • Potential complications of back surgery include local infection, an allergic reaction to anesthetics, nerve damage, paralysis, and chronic swelling / pain.
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Part 3 of 3: Using Alternative Therapy

  1. Neck massage. Muscle strain occurs when individual muscle fibers are pulled beyond the tension limit and then torn, leading to some degree of pain, inflammation and defense mechanisms (muscle spasms to try to prevent further damage). . So a "pinched nerve" can actually be a strained neck muscle. Deep tissue massage is useful for mild to moderate strains as it helps reduce muscle spasm, fight inflammation, and induce relaxation. Start with a 30-minute massage, focusing on your neck and upper back. Allow the therapist to give you a massage as deep as you can tolerate without cringe.
    • Always drink plenty of fluids right after a massage to flush out inflammatory by-products, lactic acid and toxins from your body. Not drinking water can cause headaches or mild nausea.
    • As an alternative to a professional massage, roll a tennis ball or vibrator over your neck muscles, or better yet, have someone else roll for it. Roll the ball slowly around the sore neck area for 10 to 15 minutes, several times a day until the pain subsides.
  2. See a chiropractor or orthopedic specialist. Orthopedists and chiropractors are chiropractors, who specialize in establishing normal movement and function for the tiny spinal joints that connect the vertebrae, called the microflora. Manual joint adjustments can be used to relieve pressure or reposition slightly skewed neck joints - the cause of inflammation and throbbing pain, especially with movement. Neck stretching can also help relieve pain.
    • Although a single spinal adjustment can sometimes help completely treat a pinched nerve, it usually takes 3-5 treatments to see significant results.
    • Chiropractors and chiropractors also use a variety of therapies specifically designed to treat muscle tension, which may be more appropriate for neck tissue.
  3. Physiotherapeutic treatment. If your neck problem is recurring (chronic) and is caused by muscle weakness, poor posture or degenerative problems like osteoporosis, then you need to consider some form of rehabilitation. A physiotherapist can teach you what is specific and specific to you, along with neck strength exercises. Physiotherapy is usually 2-3 times per week for 4-6 weeks to positively impact chronic spinal problems.
    • If necessary, a physiotherapist can treat neck muscle pain with electrotherapy, such as therapeutic ultrasound or electrical muscle stimulation.
    • Good neck exercises include swimming, some yoga poses, and weight training. However, it is important to make sure the injury has recovered.
  4. Consider acupuncture. Acupuncture is the process of inserting very thin needles into specific energy points in the skin / muscle to relieve pain and inflammation. Acupuncture for neck pain can be effective, especially if it's done when symptoms first appear. Based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture works by releasing multiple active ingredients, including endorphins and serotonin, to relieve pain.
    • Acupuncture also helps to stimulate energy flow.
    • Acupuncture is performed by many health care professionals, including physicians, orthopedists, naturopaths, physiotherapists, and massage specialists.
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Advice

  • Avoid reading in bed with more than one pillow under your head, as this will cause your neck to stretch excessively.
  • Avoid wearing bags that put uneven weight on your shoulders, such as bags or purses with a cross strap because they cause neck strain. Instead, use a wheelchair bag or a traditional backpack with padded straps.
  • Quit smoking because smoking reduces blood circulation, leading to a lack of oxygen and nutrients to spinal muscles and other tissues.

Warning

  • It is always best to consult a doctor, osteopath or an orthopedist to determine the cause of spinal pain / injury.