The pain and other accompanying symptoms due to a pinched neck nerve can cause a lot of discomfort. Always bear in mind that a pinched nerve in the neck can occur if there is excessive pressure placed on a nerve or the nerve roots by a neighboring structure.
Some of the common structures that can cause a pinched neck nerve are the cervical discs, tight muscles and bone spurs. The indications of a pinched neck nerve include localized pain, muscle weakness, radiating pain down the arms and to the fingers as well as numbness and tingling sensation. In most cases, many can recover from the effects of a pinched neck nerve with conservative treatment within a few days. You can manage the pain with pain management measures by enrolling in a first aid course today.
Application of ice
Once a nerve in a cervical spine is pinched, it can be accompanied by inflammation. Take note that the inflammatory chemicals can irritate the nerve and cause more symptoms. The application of an ice pack is the initial mode of treatment when minimizing the pain and inflammation.
Ice works by constricting the blood vessels and slows down the inflammatory process. Do not apply the ice pack directly on the skin. Make sure that it is covered with a clean cloth or towel and apply for 20 minutes every 2 hours. During the initial 24-72 hours, heat must not be used since it will increase the flow of blood and the inflammation.
Adequate rest
Always bear in mind that resting the affected area is beneficial in relieving some of the stress responsible for causing the symptoms. Just remember that the resting period should not be extensive since it might only worsen the issue. Prolonged inactivity will minimize the essential blood flow to the affected area, resulting to poor healing and can also lead to muscle atrophy.
Medications
Various medications are given to help minimize the effects of a pinched neck nerve temporarily. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen are usually recommended since they possess anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.
In most cases, a pinched neck nerve can worsen by muscle spasms and the doctor will recommend muscle relaxants. In case the symptoms are severe, corticosteroid medications are injected directly into the affected area to minimize the pain and inflammation.
Stretching and exercise
By stretching the short and tight muscles and exercising the weakened ones, it can provide an overall effect on balancing the muscles surrounding the affected joints and help minimize stress and relieve pressure on the nerves. Always remember that stretching and exercise helps release endorphins that can help with pain relief. Mild and regular range of motion stretching can help relieve stress on the affected nerve.
Chiropractic
One of the contributing factors of a pinched neck nerve is limited movement in the spine. When it comes to chiropractic care, it involves diagnosing and treating the condition of the spine as well as helps restore motion to the joints that are poorly functioning. Muscle restriction can also be dealt with as well as prescribe appropriate exercises and stretching routines to minimize the stress on the affected joints.