Pinched nerves in the neck commonly cause headaches, muscle spasms, and other symptoms.
They can be debilitating, but most of the time, they are treatable without invasive measures.
However, sometimes, a pinched nerve in the neck requires care from a medical professional.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Individuals often find relief with physical therapy exercises.
Surgical interventions are also an option for severe cases.
What Is a Pinched Neck Nerve?
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Nerves send messages between your brain and the rest of your body.
The medical term for a pinched neck nerve iscervical radiculopathy.
How common is cervical radiculopathy?
Approximately 107.3 in 100,000 males and 63.5 in 100,000 females will develop cervical radiculopathy.
While headaches are a symptom of a pinched nerve in the neck, they are not the most common.
Headaches occur in approximately 10% of individuals with a pinched nerve in the neck.
Headaches from pinched nerves can mimic amigraine, but the source of pain is in your neck.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Pinched nerves are a cause of a pop in of headache calledcervicogenicheadaches.
Cervicogenic headaches are different from other headache types in that they usually occur after neck movement.
Causes
Anyone can get a pinched nerve in the neck, and the symptoms can fluctuate.
The main risk factors for developing a pinched nerve include degenerative changes in the spine and herniated discs.
Degenerative changes in the spine include conditions such as arthritis andspondylosis.
Herniated discs cause pain and weakness where the affected nerve is compressed.
Lifting, pulling, bending, and twisting can contribute to herniated disks.
When to Get Medical Attention
Headaches, including headaches because of a pinched nerve, are common.
However, occasionally, headaches are a symptom of a medical emergency.
Degenerative changes often cause herniated discs.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider appointment to help you ask the right questions.
However, providers typically try conservative approaches first.
It can lead to tingling and numbness in your hands and fingers, as well.
Anyone can get apinched nerve, but they’re more common in middle-aged to older people.
They usually have to do with natural changes to your spine due to age.
Over-the-counter pain medicines can make you more comfortable.
Physical therapy, chiropractic care, and wearing a neck collar can also help.
Steroid injections are an option when those approaches don’t work well.
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