Last week, I received the following email from a young woman, Alison:
Dr. Bart,
Two days ago, I was opening some boxes at work. I was stooped over, and when I stood back up, I experienced a super sharp pain in my neck – I think it’s a pinched nerve. I was extremely stiff and just miserable for the rest of the day. Every time I tried to turn my head left or right, I would feel the sharp pain. What’s going on, and is there anything I can do to make the pain go away?
Sincerely,
Alison
Alison, the term “pinched nerve” is often used as a catchall for what could be a number of scenarios. Usually, the nerve is either being compressed by a herniated disc, bone spur, or an inflamed muscle.
Symptoms
With a pinched nerve in your neck, you may experience muscle spasms, shooting pains, numbness, and tingling down one or both arms.
Causes
Poor posture, osteoarthritis, stress from repetitive job or sport, and obesity are common contributors/causes of nerve pressure.
Treatment
Since the sensation of a “pinched nerve” is often a symptom of a herniated disc, effective treatment includes spinal decompression, which creates negative pressure in the spine. This allows the herniated material back into place and alleviates pressure on the nerve.
In addition, although it might seem counter-intuitive, specific types of exercises can actually help relieve the pain associated with a pinched nerve. Livestrong.com has a great article on low-impact exercises that might be helpful. They recommend stretching, isometric exercises (in which there is a contraction of a muscle without movement of the joint), and low-impact aerobics.
Prevention
At River Ridge Chiropractic, we believe regular adjustments that align the spine greatly reduce the incidence of disc herniation. Chiropractic treatment also restores normal range of motion, helping to reduce inflammation, and prevent injury. And, as I always advise my patients, a healthy and active lifestyle is a key component in living pain-free.
Dr. Bart
