A pinched nerve in the neck can be very painful. However, there are a number of treatments that can help ease pain and relieve pressure on the nerve.

A pinched nerve occurs when a nerve becomes irritated or compressed. The medical term for when this happens in the neck is cervical radiculopathy.

What is a pinched nerve?

The upper end of the spine has seven small bones, or vertebrae, that begin at the bottom of the skull and end at the shoulders. These seven vertebrae make up the cervical spine.

Nerves branch out from the spinal cord and exit through small openings between the vertebrae called foramen.

When these nerves become irritated or compressed, it can result in neck pain and sometimes pain, numbness, or tingling that runs down the arm into the hand.

Symptoms

A pinched nerve in the neck may cause the following symptoms:

• pain in the neck
• numbness or tingling in the arm and hand
• weakness in the shoulder, arm, hand, or all three
• loss of sensation in the arm, hand, or both

It is also common for any of the above symptoms to occur with movement of the neck.

Diagnosis

Typically, to reach a diagnosis, doctors will ask about symptoms and then examine the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.

Oftentimes, they will also ask the person to move their arms and neck to see where they are experiencing weakness or pain.

Tests

There are several tests that doctors can perform to help them diagnose a pinched nerve in the neck.

The Spurling test

The Spurling test involves extending the neck, rotating the head to the side where the symptoms occur, and applying gentle downward pressure to the top of the head.

X-ray

An X-ray is one type of imaging tests that can aid in the diagnosis of a pinched nerve in the neck.

An X-ray can show the alignment of the vertebrae in the neck. It can also demonstrate narrowing of the foramen and disc spaces between the vertebrae.

CT scan

Computerized tomography (CT) scans show bone in more detail than an X-ray. Sometimes, doctors order them in the workup of a person with a suspected pinched nerve.

MRI scan

With the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), doctors can see the vertebrae, soft tissues, and nerves in greater detail than with other scan types.

MRI scans can show how severe the nerve compression in the neck is. They will also allow doctors to see whether a herniated disk is causing compression of the nerve or the spinal cord.

EMG

An electromyelography (EMG) test measures the speed of transmitting electrical impulses along a nerve. Sometimes, doctors will order this test to determine whether a nerve or group of nerves is functioning properly.

In the case of a suspected pinched nerve in the neck, an EMG can help doctors determine which nerve has become irritated or compressed and where exactly the compression occurs.

Treatment

For many people, pain from a pinched nerve in the neck will resolve on its own within 4 weeks.

However, it is common for the symptoms of a pinched nerve in the neck to return over time.

If the symptoms of cervical radiculopathy do not clear up, there are nonsurgical and surgical treatments available.

Immobilization

A soft cervical collar can help minimize the amount of movement in the neck and thus reduce irritation of the nerve root.

However, a person should not wear a cervical collar for more than2 weeksTrusted Source, as it can cause the neck muscles to weaken.

Exercises

Physical therapy can help with a pinched nerve in the neck. Exercises aim to strengthen and stretch the neck muscles, thereby improving flexibility.

Sometimes, traction can help gently stretch the joints in the neck and relieve pressure on the nerve.

Surgery

Surgical options vary depending on the cause of the pinched nerve.

Surgery aims to relieve pressure on the affected nerve and, in some cases, improve the alignment of the cervical spine.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

The aim of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is to remove the disk or bone spurs causing nerve compression.

During the procedure, the surgeon removes the disk and bone spurs causing the compression. They then fuse the two affected vertebrae together, which stabilizes the damaged part of the cervical spine.

Artificial disk replacement

This procedure involves removing the herniated disk and replacing it with an artificial disk made of metal or plastic.

Posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy

This procedure shaves down the back of the spinal canal and removes any bone, bone spurs, tissues, and disk material that may be causing a pinched nerve.

Home remedies

Sometimes, it is possible to treat a pinched nerve in the neck at home with any of the following:

• rest
• heat packs
• cold packs
• massage
• yoga
• NSAIDs

Cervical traction devices are also available for use at home.

Summary

A pinched nerve in the neck is a common problem and can be very painful. However, it often clears up within a few days or weeks.

There are many nonoperative treatments, such as rest, medication, and physical therapy, that a person can try before a doctor decides they need surgery.

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