Pinched Nerves in the Neck

Pinched nerves in the neck can be a very uncomfortable and scary condition. This condition is known as a cervical compressed nerve, and it is actually common all over the world, especially in older patients. The neck is used more often than we know it and must support our head which can weigh up to ten pounds or more.

That’s no small feat for the muscles and small vertebrae bones of this body part. All this stress can make the cervical part of the spine a likely place for a compressed nerve or herniated (slipped) disc. Typical symptoms of pinched nerves include:

1. Pain
2. Tingling in the arms, hands, and fingers
3. Numbness in the arms or hands
4. Weakness in the upper body
5. Trouble sleeping because of tension

Since every patient is different and there are many nerves in the spinal column, the area affected by a pinched nerve will be different for everyone. Some people suffer pain only in the neck, while extreme cases may barely be able to lift and use the arms due to numbness and pain.
In general, the more severe the compression, the worse the symptoms will be. The good news is that most condition will heal without any professional treatment.

Allow a week or two of over the counter medicine like aspirin and rest to allow it to heal from swelling. Patients who suffer from this condition that require treatment usually respond well to simple non-operative measures or Chiropractic therapy.

Non-operative measures can also include rest, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy and cortisone injects are the main nonsurgical means of treatment.

If non-operative measures fail, or if significant symptoms are present, surgery is considered. The surgery involves removing the disk material or spurs that are compressing the nerves and may be done in combination with fusion of some of the neck spinal bones.

It’s very important to watch your condition very closely to see if you’re feeling better. At any cost avoid surgery as it involves a lot of risks.