Experiencing neck stiffness, and pain in the back, arms or legs? You may well have a pinched nerve in the neck!
A pinched nerve is basically an irritated or compressed spinal nerve. When it occurs in the neck region, it’s referred to as cervical radiculopathy. A nerve can become irritated or compressed by nearby tissue, causing pain, tingling sensation, weakness and numbness in surrounding areas of the body.
Let’s discuss this neck condition in detail to learn about its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options and more.
Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve in the Neck
The common symptoms associated with a pinched nerve in the neck are:
- Mild or sharp pain in the neck, back, arms, and legs
- Tingling or burning sensation
- Feeling that the hand/arm/foot is unresponsive
- Muscle fatigue
- Numbness
Diagnosis
A physical examination of the neck, arms, shoulders, and hands is generally conducted by a doctor to help detect a pinched nerve. Specific movements of the neck and arms and the pain caused by them also assist in the diagnosis of a pinched nerve and its source.
There are a number of diagnostic tests that could be conducted to detect a pinched nerve.
The Spurling Test
This test comprises neck extension, rotating the head to the specific side where the symptoms are being experienced, and exerting mild pressure on the head from top to bottom.
X-Ray
By generating images of the spinal alignment in the neck, an x-ray can help identify a pinched nerve in the neck region. It can also display the narrowing of the disc spaces and foramen in the spine.
CT Scan
A CT scan may help detect a pinched nerve in the neck by providing more detailed images of the spine and bones in the neck area as compared to an X-ray.
MRI Scan
A doctor can view detailed images of the soft tissues, vertebrae and nerves in the neck region with an MRI. It can help understand the severity of the nerve compression, diagnose any displacement disc as the potential reason and detect any damage to the spinal cord.
EMG
EMG stands for Electromyography. It’s a diagnostic test that is used to calculate the speed of electrical impulses through a nerve. It helps assess whether a specific nerve or group of nerves are functioning in a normal manner, thus assisting in identifying a pinched nerve in the neck.
Causes
A pinched nerve is a relatively common condition, with people of all ages affected by it. However, older adults above 50 are more susceptible to it courtesy of age-related degeneration of various body parts and different types of arthritis.
Other common causes comprise:
- Heavy weightlifting on a regular basis
- Frequent usage of driving equipment that vibrates
- Playing golf
- Diving
Treatment
In case a pinched nerve in the neck doesn’t go away in 4-6 weeks with adequate rest, then medical intervention is necessary for alleviating the pressure on the nerve.
Non-surgical treatments are typically recommended as they don’t involve the high risks associated with surgical treatments. The most popular non-surgical treatments include:
- Ice and heat therapy: Applying ice and heat to the area with swelling should help ease the symptoms caused by a pinched nerve in the neck and provide temporary pain relief. Follow the instructions of the doctor when using ice or heat therapy.
- Non-surgical spinal decompression treatment: Such treatment works to remove pressure from the pinched nerve and encourage the healing process. Patients can experience long-lasting relief in such cases.
