Luckily, most of the time a pinched nerve resolves on its own within days or weeks.
How Do You Pinch a Nerve in Your Neck?
To understand a pinched nerve, its helpful to learn about thespinal cord.
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The area of the spinal cord around the neck is known as yourcervical spine.
Its made up of seven vertebrae (spinal bones).
Your nerves branch off from the spinal cords in the spaces between your vertebrae.
A pinched nerve takes place if the space between two vertebrae is reduced.
This puts pressure on the nerve, pinching it and causing pain.
Pinched nerves can occur due to age because the spinal discs between your vertebrae naturally become compressed over time.
Age causes about 70% to 80% of pinched nerves.
Healthcare providers can diagnose a pinched nerve after a physical exam.
These imaging techniques can reveal whats causing your pain.
It can be helpful if inflammation or swelling in your neck is putting more pressure on the nerve.
Muscle Relaxers
Thesemedicationskeep the muscles in your neck from seizing up.
As the muscles relax, you may get relief from nerve pain.
Cervical Collar
A soft cervical collar is a brace that fits around your neck.
It supports your head so that your neck muscles are able to relax, which can facilitate healing.
The collar can also keep your head from turning in ways that are painful.
Steroid Injections
Steroid shotsreduce inflammation quickly because theyre given right into the tissue thats painful.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapycan help you build strength and flexibility in your neck.
This is especially important if you have pinched nerve pain that happens frequently in the same spot.
How Long Does a Pinched Nerve in the Neck Take to Heal?
If youre in pain you probably want to know how soon it will stop.
Unfortunately, the answer is, it depends.
Occasionally, the pain goes away and then returns.
The treatments above can help lessen the pain and manage it while it lasts.
Summary
A pinched nerve can cause lots of pain, numbness and weakness.
Using over-the-counter pain medications, resting your muscles, and gentle stretching can help.
If youre still in pain after a day or two, see your healthcare provider.
They can prescribe medications or recommend a brace that might help with pain relief.
Physical therapy can help if you have recurrent pinched nerve pain.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.OrthoInfo.Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve).
Harvard Health Publishing.Treating a pinched nerve.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Definition of pinched nerve.
National Health Service.Exercises for neck problems.
