Pinched Nerve in the Neck Symptoms and Causes

Anatomy of the Neck

To understand how a person can get a pinched nerve in the neck, one must understand the anatomy of the neck. The neck is made up of seven cervical vertebrae that surround the spinal cord and spinal canal. In the center of these discs is a gelatinous material that cushions the vertebrae. There are nerves that surround each side of the vertebrae and discs. The neck structure is comprised of muscles, veins, arteries, glads, larynx, trachea, and esophagus. Neck pain conditions can be caused by an injury or disorder of any of these tissues in the neck.

What is a Pinched Nerve?

A pinched nerve is a type of injury or damage to a nerve or a group of nerves. The injury can result from compression, constriction, or stretching. A pinched nerve can lead to other conditions and cause temporary or permanent damage depending on the extent of the injury. To prevent further damage, early diagnosis is important.

Healthy discs in the neck are structured with a space to allow the nerve to easily pass through. If a disc protrudes or is herniated, the disc alters the structure of the neck and cause a nerve to become pinched. If neck arthritis or bone spurs are present, the structure of the neck may be altered. This can cause a hard formation to touch the nerve and the result is a pinched nerve.

Pinched Nerve in the Neck Symptoms

Pinched nerve in the neck symptoms include pain that radiates outward and down from the affected nerve. A person will experience tingling, numbness, and muscle numbness in the area around the affected nerve. This tingling and numbness can be described as a feeling of pins and needles or the feeling of having a hand or foot fall asleep.

The symptoms are dependent on the path that the nerve travels through. If a person experiences a strain of the muscles, more discomfort and foregoing symptoms may become worse.

Prevention and Treatment of a Pinched Nerve in the Neck

Maintaining a good posture is very helpful in the prevention of a pinched nerve in the neck. Working out regularly using a program that includes routines that involve strength and flexibility exercises and maintaining a healthy weight is very important in the prevention of a pinched nerve. Also, limit activities that are repetitive. Repeating the same motion over and over can lead to pinched nerves in the neck.

When treating a pinched nerve in the neck, nonsurgical procedures are chosen over ones that involve actual surgery. One form of treatment is the use of a neck brace. A neck brace can help reduce inflammation around the affected nerve root. Another form of nonsurgical treatment are neck exercises to help reduce the strain caused by the pinched nerve. All nonsurgical treatments are used to lessen the pressure the nerve experiences from the surrounding structures.

References

Neck Solutions: Pinched Nerve in the Neck - https://www.necksolutions.com/pinched-nerve.html

Mayo Clinic: Pinched Nerve - https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pinched-nerve/DS00879