Symptoms of Pinched Nerve in Neck and Its Treatment with Exercise

The neck is important in keeping the head upright as well as making it move in every which way the person wants it to face. Still, there are times when the patient will find it difficult to do so because of a pinched nerve in the neck.

Pinched Nerve in Neck Symptoms

It might be a little difficult to identify a pinched nerve because the neck could hurt because of other possible reasons.

Still, doing differential diagnosis could actually do the trick. Also, trying to dig deeper into the possible location and source of the pain can reveal other symptoms. Some of these symptoms include:

• Severe pain when the head is moved. This holds true for side to side movement as well as up and down – as in nodding the head. The patient might also feel pain in sudden movements or jerks, especially when sneezing or coughing.
• Pain and stiffness of the neck. This could be localized on the area with the pinched nerve or could radiate down to the shoulders to the other parts of the neck.
• Numbness in the affected area
• Headache that begins or is felt at the back, lower part of the head
• Muscle spasms in the affected area and surrounding portions
• Feeling of weakness in muscles which can cause delayed response

Pinched Nerve in Neck Treatment

• Most of the time, the pinched nerve does not need any form of treatment.
  In fact, if left alone, it can heal itself in a matter of hours or a few days.
• Still, it is also possible that the pinched nerve is caused by a more serious underlying medical condition. This will prove more difficult to diagnose and treat immediately – but this has to be done.
• Sometimes, massaging the affected area could correct the problem.
• Physical therapy and neck braces may be necessary in some cases.

Pinched Nerve in Neck Exercises

To correct a pinched nerve in the neck, it is possible for the patient to try the following exercises:

• Trapezius and levator scapulae muscle strengthening
• Simple stretching exercises – be careful not to strain the neck muscles
• Various motion exercises to move and rotate the neck muscles

There are still a number of exercise options to ensure that the pinched nerve is treated. However, it is important to understand that these could do more harm than good when not performed correctly. Thus, do these exercises only under the supervision of a medical provider.