Pinched nerves occur when a bone, muscle, tendon or cartilage presses on a nerve root, the portion of the nerve that exits from the spinal column. A pinched nerve in the neck, called cervical radiculopathy, may cause pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in the shoulder and arm, according to Peter F. Ullrich, M.D., in an article published on "Spine-Health." Non-surgical treatment usually relieves symptoms within a few weeks, but surgery may be necessary in some cases.
Rest and Support
Resting for a few days helps to reduce inflammation and pain. Wearing a soft neck collar limits the motions of the neck, allowing the muscles to relax, according to the National Institutes of Health. Patients should do gentle stretching and range-of-motion exercises and avoid heavy lifting, twisting, jogging, golf, football, ballet, leg lifts and sit-ups with straight legs for about six weeks.
Medication
Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin may reduce pain and swelling from a pinched nerve, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. For more severe pain, the health care provider may prescribe oral corticosteroids to reduce discomfort and inflammation or narcotics. An injection of steroids near the affected nerve may be helpful as well.
Thermal Therapy
Applying ice to the affected area for the first 48 to 72 hours, followed by heat thereafter, may help to reduce inflammation and pain, says the National Institutes of Health. Ice should be applied for 20 minutes every hour while awake using an ice pack, bag of frozen vegetables or water frozen in a paper cup. Hot compresses, hot showers or a heating pad may be used for heat therapy.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy may help individuals learn proper body alignment, safe lifting techniques and ways to modify their daily activities to avoid pain, according to MayoClinic.com. Stretching and strengthening exercises, as well as traction, may also help to relieve pressure on the affected nerve. Other modalities include massage, ultrasound and heat therapy.
Surgery
An individual whose symptoms do not respond to a course of non-surgical management may require surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve and stabilize the spine, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Depending on the source of the problem, surgery may involve removing bone or soft tissue to provide more space for the nerve. Spinal fusion to stabilize and align the spine uses a bone graft or hardware to prevent movement in that section of the spine. Most patients' symptoms disappear after surgery, but full recovery may take six to 12 months.
