Pinched Nerve in Neck

My mother had the same thing years ago and she responded very well to physical therapy. They use specific manual techniques that can really help. You mentioned that you would rather not have PT but it is worth looking into.

I would advise seeing a chiropractor. I've been using Dr. Karen Kolarik at Newton Center Chiropractic for many years for many different problems. She's helped me tremendously. Dr. Ken Lowey also works from that same office. They are located in Newton Center, on Beacon St. Here's the number:###-###-####. Don't live in pain if you don't have to, and you don't have to!

Seven months? Holy cow! I have had a pinched nerve in my neck. And yes - it is very painful. I had to take something potent for the pain. Unfortunately there wasn't much else I could do but wait it out. The dr. did give me some stretches to do at home. It took about 2 weeks to completely dissipate.

I think you may have to bite the bullet and do the therapy. Another option is a chiropractor - they do some wonderful things without all that actual physical manipulation they sometimes show on tv. Good luck.

Hi P.,
My name is L., I live in Sandwich on the Cape. I'm 56 yrs. I suffered a torn rotator cuff last year. Because I didn't have insurance at the time I really just suffered a lot with the pain, stiffness, and it really really got bad. I'm right handed, so it started to make daily tasks impossible. Well, I finally got the Commonwealth Cares Insurance thru the State. Do you have insurance? Its pretty easy to get and my premium is only $70 a month. I went to the emergency room to get an MRI (long story there), and sure enough its a torn rotator cuff. This was about 5 months after I had the initial injury. I started physical therapy and yes the copays, although only $20 each time, were hard for us to come up with. A $40 a week total just really pushed us, but the results were so dramatic... so I guess I'm saying to you, if you can do PT please go for it. I know it hurts, and I'm so sorry you have to go thru this. I finished PT two weeks ago. I may request more, eventhough the co pay is a killer. I try to do my exercises, stretch it ect. Sleeping is a killer, isn't it. Please keep in touch, and let me know how you're doing. Its stinks to get old, doesn't it... lol.
Have a happy day.
Regards,
L.
____@____.com

Hi P. - I am an orthopedic physical therapist and if sounds to me like it might be time to bite the bullet and try some therapy (if you have health insurance, each visit should be the cost of your typical co-pay). You have had symptoms for SEVEN months without signs of improvement, so clearly whatever methods you have already tried are not helping you - and if when you try to "stretch it" you cause yourself more pain than your typical baseline, then you could be further irritating the condition. If you have constant pain radiating into your arm, then that usually means that you have at least moderate nerve irritation which is very difficult to get rid of without treatment. Typical home treatments would be to apply ice to the sore area in your neck and try some anti-inflammatory medicine as directed by your doctor. Watching your posture is EXTREMELY important and avoiding prolonged sitting, driving, reading - or any activity that causes you to look down for longer amounts of time.

If you would like to consider PT I may be able to recommend some good clinics in your area depending on where you live.

Good luck - H.

Yes! I have a suggestion - I had the same exact thing, including shoulder, elbow, wrist pain and digital numbness by the end, it got so bad. Anyway, I definitely don't recommend PT as I did it and it did nothing. What helped me immensely was going to a GOOD chiropractor. Part of my problem was because I was a first time mom, nursing, lugging around a baby and all of her gear, so getting a break from that was part of the solution, but the chiropractor relieved the pinching of the nerve and I have not had a relapse yet (2.5 years). I get reminder "zings," as I call them, but then I know what to do and go get adjusted and avoid the INCREDIBLE pain!

GOOD LUCK!

I'm so sorry about your pain, I can relate. I had chronic neck pain a few years back and tried chiropractic for months without any success. I was so fed up--pain like that disrupts everything! I prayed...A LOT, and was referred by 3 different people to a D.O. (doctor of osteopathy as opposed to an M.D.). This doc actually does osteopathic manipulation and was able to identify and fix the problem in a few visits. My insurance didn't cover it, but it worked and was extremely worthwhile for me. Unfortunately, most osteopaths do not do manipulation, they just do regular medical stuff, so if you check into that route, ask!! It's painless, and doesn't require cracking. I hope you can find the right treatment!

see a chiropractor, accupunturist, or get a massage--you would be amazed how knowledgable these three are about the human body, and how it works.

I am about your age and have had the same problem. CHIROPRACTOR, CHIROPRACTOR, CHIROPRACTOR!!! Believe me, it's the only thing that worked. Most insurance covers 12 visits a year. I was fixed in 3. Ask around and find one that comes recommended. Our whole family goes to ours. My son is a construction worker and when he throws his back out, he heads right to the office for an adjustment and can go back to work. Please try.

P.,

Is it possible your insurance covers physical therapy? I did not think mine did until I checked on it after a fall last year. All I can say is PT has done AMAZING things for me, including practically eliminating daily pain from a 14 year old injury. I know from experience that the pain meds only do so much, and are just a form of temporary relief. Did your doctor prescribe any sort of muscle relaxant, such as Flexeril? When I had a neck problem, that ultimately did help considerably. Best of luck!

Jenn

Hi P.,
I have been suffering from the same thing on/off for a few years now. Mostly it seems to flare up more when I'm stressed. What has worked for me is a chiropracter and also seeing a massage therapist. I've gone several times to a therapist here in Boston near my work (called Boston Bodyworkers). They will focus on one particular area that is bothering you and give you tips on how to stretch on your own. They have been great! And the cost is very reasonable. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

A.

I would see a chiropractor. They are the best!

Hi P. - How about a prescription from your Dr. to the PT for home exercises? At you age (at any age, but we're the same age...) don't mess with it!!

You will only have to go to the PT once, and they'll give you the right exercises and you'll be off an running!

I have the same thing... it was something that would bother me on and off for years, especially when I was stressed. I finally ended up with a great Dr. who did accupuncture and chiropractic, too, and he would do the accupuncture to relax me, and then he would crack my neck... now when I feel it coming on, I crack my neck myself. :)

Hello,

I would recommend a chiropractor. Most likely the nerve is being pinched b/c your vertebrae are out of alignment. I had terrible sciatica and my dr. actually sent me to a chiropractor and it was like a miracle. I went from not being able to walk within one week I was fine. I still see one for maintenance to avoid headaches and numbness in my leg that I get from sitting at a computer so much.

They take a great natural approach so it's not like you are just masking the symptoms. The other good thing is you will know within a few visits if it works.

Some insurance covers chiro. but even if not they usually work with you to reduce their rate visit.

I swear by them!

Hi P.,
I'm a retired Massage Therapist and have worked on both pinched nerves & frozen shoulders. Due to state laws, I can't really give any specific advice. But I highly recommend seeing the physical therapist. Even if you only go once or twice, they can teach you what you can do on your own.
Best of Luck!
C.

Hi P.,
I have suffered for years with a pinch nerve on and off in my neck radiating down to my arms at times bringing a tingling sensation to my fingers.
What has worked for me is Stretching exercises every day. You may have to see a chiropractor initially just to relieve you from the subluxation. Once you get the relief stretch faithfully. Gentle stretches to keep the body limb.
One word of caution, I would stay away from those chiropractors that wants you to keep seeing them regularly as a preventive measure.
The last chiropractor I saw she was great, however I slowly discovered the more you see a chiropractor the more you need to see the chiropractor. I was sick and tired of spending all that money.
So I decided to faithfully excercise and believe it or not I ask the Lord to heal me and align my body. He created my body. It may take some time but it works.
With that said forgive me for sounding redundit see a chiropractor intially then begin stretching gently every day. Hope this helps

Hi, I too have suffered. Physical therapy, in the form of traction , helped unpinch the nerve.Health insurance paid for all but the co-pay. I wish you comfort soon. J.

Hi P.!!Im sorry to hear you have neck pain that has to be the worst!!What about getting a massage??I know they can be expensive also but at least w/massage you can go once or twice and maybe feel better all over,but w/pt you have to go 2-3 times a week and w/co-pays and all, it can be very costly.I know some places offer 1/2 hr massages and you could ask them to just concentrate on your neck,shoulders and head area??And a good massage therapist can show you some good stretches to do.I dont know just an idea....hope you are well soon!!Good luck-J.

So sorry to hear about your pain. I'm recovering from a neck sprain, and now I'm experiencing symptoms of a pinched nerve. However, in my case, the pinched nerve might be caused by a bulging disc (hopefully not on its way to becoming a herniated one). If your symptoms don't improve, or if they worsen, I would push for an MRI to check your cervical discs. Do you have any tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arm. I have found physical therapy to be so helpful, although it does require a lot of time and patience. My pt recently started me on a traction there, which seems to alleviate the tingling feeling in my arm. I'm fortunate enough to only have to pay for co-payments for my treatment, but it still adds up. If you haven't already done so, I would recommend checking your insurance plan to see what's covered. If you can only afford a few visits, at least the PT can show you some exercises to do at home. Maybe they can look into a traction that you could use at home. I've never tried a chiropractor. Although some people swear by them, I'm too nervous to try it. Although the PT may seem expensive now, you could end up paying more in the long run if you don't address the problem now. And, taking medication over the long run can have its own problems. I wish you the best in your recovery.

I sometimes get a mild case(compared to yours) of a pinched nerve in my neck, which is very uncomfortable. I don't like to take medication unless I HAVE to so I tried accupuncture. It is wonderful!!! After a few treatments I am back to normal, feeling great. It is expensive, but it works so worth it. To off set costs I found a general practitioner who is an accupuncturist as well, I use him as my PCP so the accupuncture is covered under my health insurance.

Hi P.,
Are you and your doctor sure that the problem is a pinched nerve in your neck? The reason for asking is that what you've described sounds more like bursitis in the shoulder and at 52, it sounds like about the right age for it.
I have had bursitis on and off for a long time and although a chiropractor might sound like a good idea, they often tell you that a shoulder injury is complicated and takes many, many treatments. Perhaps you should consider seeing an orthopedic surgeon. He/she will order X-rays to be sure you don't have something serious going on, then will recommend injecting the joint with cortisone.

P.,

A pinched nerve can be extemely uncomfortable. I'm sorry you have suffered for six months. The pain you are feeling is caused by inflammation of the nerve, which only worsens when excercised so I would continue to rest the shoulder as much as possible. Icing the area is a very safe and effective way to decrease inflammation. Get those gel packs which can be put in the freezer (available at most drugstores) and apply for approximately 20 minutes at a time several times a day. Ibuprofen and aspirin are both good over the counter anti-inflammatories, but some people have allergies and some people are intolerant due to stomach irritation and possible bleeding. The risks increase with regular use. If you choose to use them, take with food to decrease the stomach upset and if taking longterm, you might want to consider taking a proton pump inhibitor such as zantac which is available over the counter generic name is ranitidine. This will reduce stomach acid and possible ulcer formation. Aspirin is also associated with increase bleeding due to the fact that it prevents platelets from sticking together. (Good to prevent heart attack, bad for stomach ulcers!) So I would be very wary of long term aspirin use.

You may find that simply rest, ice and ibuprofen work quickly to relieve the problem, if not you might very seriously consider chiropractic care. A proper adjustment could eliminate the problem completely. Massage therapy can be used to prevent further pinched nerves as they frequently occur due to muscle tension however working out the area while already inflamed can potentially aggravate the inflammation making the pain worse so be careful. Also consider accupunture if the above measures don't work. Best Wishes!

J. L.

I recommend going to see a chiropractor! Believe it or not, they can help! Good luck!