A pinched nerve happens when excessive pressure is applied to a nerve by tissues around it like cartilage, muscles, bones, or tendons.
This pressure results in pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness. A pinched nerve can happen in several parts of the body.
A herniated disc in the lower spine may pressure a nerve root, resulting in radiating pain down the leg. You can also pinch a nerve in the wrist, resulting in numbness and ache in the fingers and hands.
Pinched shoulder nerve is also common. It happens when the nerve coming from the neck is being pressured by a structure nearby. It manifests through pain in the shoulder and numb arms and hands.
Proper rest and other treatments help people recover from a pinched nerve within several days or weeks.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary.
How to Recognize Pinched Shoulder Nerve?
The symptoms of a pinched shoulder nerve vary, but the most common ones are discomfort in the shoulder area, pain, and numbness.
Other symptoms are also possible.
Some of the most common ones are weak muscles in the shoulder, arm, or hand, painful neck, particularly when turning from side to side, changes in feeling on the same side as the painful shoulder, and tingling sensation in the hand or fingers.
What Are the Major Causes of a Pinched Shoulder Nerve?
The nerve is pinched when a bone, swollen tissue, or a protruded disk is pressuring the nerves going from the spinal column toward the shoulder and neck.
The spinal column has 24 bones known as vertebrae. They sit atop each other with disks between each of them that act as protection. This column is divided into three areas, i.e., cervical, thoracic, and lumbar.
A pinched shoulder nerve affects the cervical spine or the first seven vertebrae. Nerves that transmit signals to and from the brain to other body parts extend from the cervical spine.
These are some of the reasons for a pinched shoulder nerve:
- Degenerated disk
As time goes by, the gel-like disks between the vertebrae begin to wear down.
So, the bones get closer and rub against each other and the nerves. In some cases, a person may develop bone spurs.
These are bony growths on the vertebrae which cause pressure on the shoulder nerves.
- A herniated disc
In some cases, a disk may stick out and put pressure on the nerves where they go out of the spinal column.
This will result in more pain during activities like bending, lifting, or twisting.
- An injury
An acute injury like from sports or a car accident may cause a herniated disk or inflamed tissue that is pressing on the nerves.
What Are the Treatment Options for a Pinched Shoulder Nerve?
In most cases, a pinched shoulder nerve goes away on its own, without a need for additional treatment.
If treatment is needed, the doctor will take into account the cause of the pinched nerve, the pain severity, and how much the pain interferes with daily activities.
Non-surgical options are the first treatment. If they don’t lower the pain or if the pain worsens, surgery will be recommended.
The non-surgical treatments include NSAIDs like ibuprofen, oral corticosteroids, corticosteroid injections, cervical collar, and physical therapy.
To manage the pain, you can apply ice packs up to 48 hours after the pain has begun. After this period, use a warm pack. It’s also recommendable to sleep on a neck-supporting pillow.
You can also take pain-relieving meds.
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