Another symptom of a pinched cervical nerve is pain and numbness in the hands. When the cervical nerve in the C6 vertebra is pinched, a person feels pain along the entire length of the arm up to the thumb, in addition, the entire wrist may become numb. If there is a pinching of the cervical nerve in the C7 vertebra, the pain will spread up the arm to the middle finger, sometimes causing numbness and tingling. One of the most serious symptoms of a pinched cervical nerve is hand dysfunction. The symptom is caused by a pinching of the cervical nerve in the C8 vertebra, this nerve controls the motility of the small muscles of the arm. And of course, pinching any nerve in the cervical spine is likely to cause pain in the neck.
Pinched cervical nerve: treatment methods
Treatment for a pinched cervical nerve usually begins with medications given to relieve pain and inflammation. Pain relievers like ibuprofen are available over the counter. And for stronger drugs, a doctor’s referral will be required – such drugs are intended to be used exclusively under the supervision of a doctor, because their uncontrolled intake can cause drug addiction.
Your doctor may prescribe methocarbamol muscle relaxants to treat cervical spasms. They must be used with caution, as they have a strong hypnotic effect. After using muscle relaxants, it is categorically contraindicated to drive or participate in any activities that require increased concentration.
Your doctor may also recommend corticosteroid injections to quickly reduce pain and inflammation. This is a rather radical technique, primarily because injections of corticosteroids are accompanied by serious side effects, so it should be used only when all other methods of treatment have not yielded the desired results.
In addition to drugs for treatment after a pinched cervical nerve, therapy is also used. For example, sometimes neck pain can be relieved with a simple heating pad applied to the affected area for 10-15 minutes three times a day. Another way is to use “cold therapy”, when ice packs are applied to the sore spot to reduce swelling.
Exercises to strengthen the muscles of the neck should be part of the treatment program after a pinched cervical nerve. A set of exercises to develop muscles is usually offered by a physiotherapist. Strong, trained muscles help support the cervical spine. Another treatment option after a pinched cervical nerve is neck massage therapy. The massage relaxes tense muscles in the neck, which improves blood flow and weaken muscles that can compress nerves. In addition, a physical therapist or chiropractor may also recommend ultrasound treatment. During the ultrasound treatment procedure, sound waves are applied to the painful area, which help tissue repair and stop inflammation.
If all of the above treatments after a pinched cervical nerve have failed and you are still experiencing severe neck pain, surgery always remains. Several factors influence the decision to undergo surgery: medical history, current physical condition of the patient, age, and the cause of the pinched cervical nerve. Recovery from surgery can take six to eight weeks.
After the main treatment for a pinched cervical nerve is over, you should avoid any activity that might over-strain your neck. If you are working at a computer or at a desk, you need to stop from time to time and stretch your neck. It is also important to maintain correct posture and to do specific flexibility exercises for the neck muscles at least three days a week.
How to relieve pain with home remedies
A pinched cervical nerve can result from partial loss of mobility, not to mention the fact that you will constantly feel pain in the neck (and not only in the neck). remedial gymnastics can become a means of prevention. All exercises can be done at home. The simplest exercise is neck bending: stand up straight with your chin against your chest. Slowly lift your chin up and tilt your head back as far as possible. Do this exercise five times, take a 30 second break, and repeat again. This exercise is useful for those who have pain in the back of the neck.
Another exercise is to clasp both hands at the back of the head and press on them with your head, tensing the muscles of the neck and resisting with your hands. Remain in this position for about five seconds. Repeat the exercise three times. Start with a small amount of effort, gradually over the course of two to three weeks, increasing the load on the neck that you create with your hands.