Pinched nerve in left side of neck treatment

Overview

A pinched nerve in the neck happens when a vertebra or disc in the upper part of your spine squeezes a nerve. This can happen because of an injury. Or it can just happen with age.

The changes that happen from an injury or aging may put pressure on a nearby nerve root, pinching it. This causes symptoms such as sharp pain in your neck, shoulder, arm, hand, or back. You may also have tingling or numbness. Sometimes it makes your arm weaker. The symptoms may get worse when you turn your head, cough, or sneeze.

For many people, the symptoms get better over time and finally go away.

Early treatment usually includes medicines for pain and swelling. Sometimes physiotherapy and special exercises may help.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

  • Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
    • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
    • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • Try using a heating pad on a low or medium setting for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. Try a warm shower in place of one session with the heating pad. You can also buy single-use heat wraps that last up to 8 hours.
  • You can also try an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. There isn't strong evidence that either heat or ice will help. But you can try them to see if they help you.
  • Don't spend too long in one position. Take short breaks to move around and change positions.
  • Wear a seat belt and shoulder harness when you are in a car.
  • Sleep with a pillow under your head and neck that keeps your neck straight.
  • If you were given a neck brace (cervical collar) to limit neck motion, wear it as instructed for as many days as your doctor tells you to. Do not wear it longer than you were told to. Wearing a brace for too long can lead to neck stiffness and can weaken the neck muscles.
  • Follow your doctor's instructions for gentle neck-stretching exercises.
  • Do not smoke. Smoking can slow healing of your discs. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
  • Avoid activities that may make your symptoms worse. Ask your doctor when you can start doing those activities again.

When should you call for help?

Pinched nerve in left side of neck treatment

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • You are unable to move an arm or a leg at all.

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • You have new or worse symptoms in your arms, legs, chest, belly, or buttocks. Symptoms may include:
    • Numbness or tingling.
    • Weakness.
    • Pain.
  • You lose bladder or bowel control.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

  • You are not getting better as expected.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter K983 in the search box to learn more about "Pinched Nerve in the Neck: Care Instructions".

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and conduct a physical examination.

If your doctor suspects a pinched nerve, you may undergo some tests. These tests may include:

  • Blood tests. You may need tests to measure your fasting blood glucose or thyroid levels.
  • Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). This test collects a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the area surrounding your spinal cord. The CSF may be sent to a lab and examined for signs of inflammation or infection.
  • X-rays. These images show how the bones are positioned and can indicate whether or not there is any narrowing or damage that could cause a pinched nerve.
  • Nerve conduction study. This test measures electrical nerve impulses and functioning in your muscles and nerves through electrodes placed on your skin. The study measures the electrical impulses in your nerve signals when a small current passes through the nerve. Test results tell your doctor whether you have a damaged nerve.
  • Electromyography (EMG). During an EMG, your doctor inserts a needle electrode through your skin into various muscles. The test evaluates the electrical activity of your muscles when they contract and when they're at rest. Test results tell your doctor if there is damage to the nerves leading to the muscles.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed views of your body in multiple planes. This test may be used if your doctor suspects you have nerve root compression.
  • High-resolution ultrasound. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures within the body. It's helpful for diagnosing nerve compression syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Treatment

The most frequently recommended treatment for a pinched nerve is rest for the affected area. Your doctor will ask you to stop any activities that cause or aggravate the compression.

Depending on the location of the pinched nerve, you may need a splint, collar or brace to immobilize the area. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, your doctor may recommend wearing a splint during the day as well as at night because wrists flex and extend frequently during sleep.

Physical therapy

A physical therapist can teach you exercises that strengthen and stretch the muscles in the affected area to relieve pressure on the nerve. The physical therapist may also recommend modifications to activities that aggravate the nerve.

Medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), can help relieve pain. Anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin (Neurontin) and tricyclic medications such as nortriptyline (Pamelor) and amitriptyline are often used to treat nerve-related pain.

Corticosteroids, given by mouth or by injection, may help minimize pain and inflammation.

Surgery

If the pinched nerve doesn't improve after several weeks to a few months with conservative treatments, your doctor may recommend surgery to take pressure off the nerve. The type of surgery varies depending on the location of the pinched nerve.

Surgery may entail removing bone spurs or a part of a herniated disk in the spine, for example, or severing the carpal ligament to allow more room for the nerve to pass through the wrist.

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Preparing for your appointment

You're likely to first see your health care provider. Because there's often a lot to discuss and time may be limited, it's a good idea to prepare for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet or wear loosefitting clothes in the event that you have an imaging exam.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you're taking.
  • Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all of the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For a suspected pinched nerve, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or long lasting?
  • What treatment do you recommend?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?
  • Are there any activity restrictions that I need to follow?
  • Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend visiting?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. They may include:

  • What are your symptoms? Do you feel pain, numbness, tingling or weakness?
  • Where, specifically, are you feeling these symptoms?
  • How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?
  • Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • Is there an activity or a position that triggers your symptoms?
  • Is there an activity or a position that relieves your symptoms?
  • Do you have a job or hobby that requires you to make repetitive motions?

Jan. 22, 2022

What is the fastest way to fix a pinched nerve in your neck?

If you have mild symptoms, you might find relief from:.
soft cervical collar..
hot or cold compress..
practicing good posture..
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
acupuncture..
massage..

Can a pinched nerve in neck fix itself?

Will a pinched nerve go away on its own? How long does it take? Yes, most will with time (normally four to six weeks). You can improve symptoms with rest and pain medications such as naproxen, ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

How do you get rid of a trapped nerve in the side of your neck?

If you have a pinched nerve in your neck, you may experience a sensation of pins and needles or weakness and pain in your hand, arm or shoulder..
Resting..
NSAIDs..
Cold or hot compresses..
Massage..
Soft cervical collar..
Acupuncture..
Practice good posture..

Should I go to the ER for a pinched nerve in my neck?

Watch out for these severe symptoms. Call a doctor if: You have persistent pain. If your pain from what you think is a pinched nerve lasts more than a couple of days, you should seek medical attention.