The cervical spine is made up of seven bones, called vertebra, and soft spongy discs that separate the bones. Housed within the spinal column is the spinal cord and branching off of the spinal cord at each vertebral level are spinal nerves. These nerves travel out to the periphery of the body and control many functions. One of these nerves can become pinched in the cervical spine when a nearby structure, such as a disc or bone spur, places pressure on the nerve. Symptoms of a pinched nerve include localized pain, pain that radiates down the arm into the hand, numbness, and tingling in the arm and muscle weakness. There are several effective treatments.
Rest
The Mayo Clinic reports that the most frequent recommended treatment for a cervical pinched nerve is rest. Avoid any aggravating movements that increase symptoms and that may add pressure to the nerve. A majority of patients with pinched nerves in the cervical spine recover with time and rest. A soft cervical collar may be appropriate to use for a few days, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Using a collar any longer than a few days may exacerbate the problem by leading to muscle weakness. The collar may be helpful in reducing cervical spine movement that will limit the pressure on the nerve.
Ice
A C6 nerve that is pinched will likely be accompanied by inflammation as well as pressure. Ice is a beneficial treatment in this case because it will help reduce pain as well as inflammation. Ice that is placed directly on the skin can cause freezing burns. Instead, wrap an ice pack in a towel and then apply to the lower cervical spine where the nerve is pinched. Use the ice pack for 20 minutes every two hours.
Medication
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be very helpful in reducing the symptoms of a pinched nerve. These medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, are particularly beneficial in this case because they treat both inflammation and pain. If symptoms are severe because of the C6 pinched nerve, prescription pain relievers or muscle relaxers may be prescribed by a doctor. In some cases, an injection of corticosteroids may be injected into the site of the pinched nerve and can be very helpful in reducing both pain and inflammation, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Surgery
If conservative treatments are unsuccessful and symptoms persist for weeks to months, surgery may be required, according to the Mayo Clinic. The surgery may be a little different in each case, depending on the cause of the C6 pinched nerve. A herniated disc may be trimmed, or a bone spur may be removed. The goal in each surgical case is to remove pressure from the nerve and reduce the symptoms.
