Pinched Nerve – Symptoms and Treatment

Pinched Nerve
June 18, 2021

A compression nerve is another name for a pinched nerve. When surrounding tissues put too much pressure on a nerve, it is called a pinched nerve. Muscles, cartilage, tendons, and bones are examples of tissues. The pressure interferes with the nerve’s function and can be extremely painful. The most popular therapies aim to reduce tissue inflammation and thereby ease the pressure. You can visit a pain clinic for treatment.

Pinched Nerve Symptoms

A pinched nerve can occur anywhere on your body, although it most commonly occurs in the neck. Because of spinal deterioration caused by aging and arthritis, people over the age of 50 are more likely to grow a pinched nerve in the spine. A pinched nerve can occur in anyone as a result of an injury, obesity, or stress at home or at work.

Cervical radiculopathy is a term used to describe when a root of a nerve in the cervical spine becomes injured or inflamed due to a pinched nerve in the neck. A pinched nerve root of the cervical spine causes changes in neurological function, resulting in a variety of symptoms. Pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, and a burning sensation are some of the symptoms.

It may render burning or sharp aching. It can also travel down the shoulder and arm from the neck area. The first thing you’ll want to know if you have a pinched nerve is how to ease it, especially with simple at-home cures.

Pinched Nerve Treatment at Home

What can you do if you have a pinched nerve? Rest is the most usually suggested treatment. However, rest is simply one method that should be used in conjunction with other at-home therapies, such as the ones listed below.

  • Using over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate inflammation in the tissues that are generating the compression.
  • Doing low-impact workouts like walking or swimming to relieve inflammation, such as applying alternating hot and cold to a pinched nerve to promote blood circulation.
  • Using a soft cervical collar to facilitate the relaxing of the neck muscles and to minimize motion when biking or doing yoga

When Should You See a Doctor?

If pain persists for more than a few days or is severe enough to interfere with daily activities despite at-home remedies, it’s time to see a doctor for an evaluation. Allowing nerve compression to continue for an extended length of time can cause the nerve’s protective layer to break down.

  • Order diagnostic testing such as x-rays, CT, MRI, or EMG (electromyography);
  • Prescribe stronger NSAID and corticosteroid drugs;
  • Recommend physical therapy as a last resort;

Home remedies are often not enough to treat the problems. In our pain management clinic, you can treat any kind of body pain.

**Disclaimer: This content should not be considered medical advice and does not imply a doctor-patient relationship.

Darryl D. Robinson, MD

Medical Director

Dr. Darryl Robinson, a Richmond, Virginia native, earned his undergraduate degree from Howard University, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to receive his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia in 1995. Commissioned into the U.S. Army the same year, Dr. Robinson completed his internship at Walter Reed and served as a General Medical Officer at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He left active duty in 1998 and remained in the reserves through 2004. After completing his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and a fellowship in Pain Medicine, Dr. Robinson joined Oklahoma Sports Science and Orthopedics in 2002. He has since been recognized for delivering comprehensive, cutting-edge care for pain conditions. In 2012, he was named one of the region's top physicians by Castle Connolly. Frustrated by the limitations of conventional pain treatments, he expanded his approach to include wellness-based therapies focused on nutrition, hormone optimization, and regenerative medicine. He later became a Certified Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Also in 2012, Dr. Robinson was honored as one of the first "Pink Tie Guys" by the Susan G. Komen foundation in Oklahoma, recognizing his advocacy for women's health.
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Based on 158 reviews
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