It’s not uncommon for office workers to develop a sharp pain in the area just above and between the shoulder blades after a long day sitting in front of a computer monitor with stooped or hunched shoulders. This pain is often referred to colloquially as a pinched nerve in the neck, but it usually is nothing more than a slightly strained muscle. Another instance of mistaken identity occurs when people wake up with a stiffness or pain in the neck after sleeping with their head at an awkward angle. This, too, is commonly called a pinched nerve, but it is far more likely to be related to tight muscles or a slightly sprained ligament. What, then, is an actual pinched nerve in the neck? Simply, it is the compression of a nerve root in the cervical (neck) region of the spine, usually caused by an anatomical abnormality such as a herniated disc, a bulging disc, or a bone spur.

Recognizing The Symptoms Of Cervical Nerve Compression

Although one of the main symptoms of a pinched nerve in the neck is localized pain (similar to that produced by a muscle strain or ligament sprain), there are several other symptoms that are signs that you may be suffering from nerve compression. These can include:

– Pain that radiates along the length of a nerve into the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, or fingers.
– Headaches (called cervicogenic headaches).
– Tingling within a specific part of the upper body, especially in the hands.
– Numbness in a defined portion of the upper body.
– Weakness in the shoulders, arms, fingers, and/or hands.

If these symptoms start to affect your ability to function in day-to-day life, it’s time to visit your doctor. He or she will conduct a physical exam and a neurological exam, as well as ask you questions about the nature, origin, severity, and duration of your symptoms. Medical imaging (X-ray, MRI, or CT scan) might be ordered, along with contrast dye injections to provide clues about the precise location of the nerve compression. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, your doctor will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan.

Conservative Methods For Treating A Pinched Nerve In The Neck

In most cases, surgery is a last resort for alleviating the symptoms of spinal nerve compression in the neck. Most people will find that they can manage their symptoms adequately with a doctor-coordinated regimen of conservative, nonsurgical treatment methods. These can include pain medication (over-the-counter or prescription), exercise, physical therapy, stretching, electrical stimulation, spinal injections, and more. Some people find that relief is available through the use of alternative therapies, such as chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture. The efficacy of alternative methods remains up for debate, so patients should consider their options carefully before choosing that path.

If chronic nerve compression symptoms persist despite several weeks or months of conservative treatment, it may be time to think about spine surgery. Before consenting to surgery of any kind, make sure to research the options available, including open neck surgery and minimally invasive, laser-assisted procedures.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of pinched nerves and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Pinched nerve