Pinched Nerve in My Neck/shoulder HELP!

You probably have a temporary condition known as torticollis. It does present miserably but can be greatly helped with time & especially physical therapy. If it doesn't "work itself out", see a doctor or if you live in a state that has direct access to Physical Therapy (PT) then just make an appointment with one. Note: Indiana does not have direct access so you need a MD referral. The PT evaluation is very thorough & should reveal whether or not it is muscular spasm (torticollis) or something more chronic like a disc problem. T., PT

The chiropractor has worked for me, and something like Advil at the same time.

Hey S.- I'm sorry to hear about your pain...however, I have been through this as well and tried everything- chiropracter, physical therapy, muscle relaxers etc. Anyway, the solution I found was acupuncture. If you haven't done it or don't know about it, it's completely painless. You will feel great when leaving. Get on www.indyacu.com That is where I have gone and it has been great! Good luck!

For a quick relief, I can only suggest moist heat and and maybe some Advil or other OTC anti-inflammatory. The ONLY thing that has helped with mine is physical therapy with an emphasis on Myofascial Release. You may also find a massage therapist in your area that specializes or incorporates Myofascial Release into a routine. It is magical!! After you get relief, try to remember to stretch, so that it doesn't return. Good luck! I know it is unbearable - I hope you get relief quickly!! By the way, check to see if your insurance might cover PT or MT.

Hi S., Thanks so much for sharing your follow-up. I had a good belly-laugh over that (not the neck/shoulder pain, of course, which I also have been tempted to take to the e/r : )

Unfortunately you need a muscle relaxer. All the Deep Heat, Sports Cream, etc., in the world won't bring total relief.

You can try alternating cold and heat packs. Cold will reduce swelling and heat will relax the muscles but it will be bothersome if you aren't home to keep alternating and will take some of the enjoyment out of being with the rest of the family. Aleve works for temporary pain releif as well, and if I remember correctly Bufferin etc., will help too.

You might try to talking to your pharmacist. They can tell you if there is anything over the counter you can use that will help until you can get to your physician after the Holiday weekend.

You may need to see a Chiro, or a massage therapist after the Holiday. Sometimes health insurance will cover this since it has to do with a pinched nerve. This is naturally a longer term relief program and won't help immediately which is what you need now!

I have been through this, in fact I did something yesterday that hit last night and it is not going to be as fun a day as I had hoped for today because I am taking 600 mg medication for the pain and smell like a Ben Gay factory!!! Great way to spend the cook out and trail walking with the family and kids, think my pool shoting and ping pong may be on hold for the day as well, sigh.

P. R

I'd seek out a Chiropractor or a Cranial Sacral Therapist.
Good Luck:)

It sounds like maybe the same thing I suffered with. I had a pain at the base of my neck to one side, kinda like a really bad "crick" in my neck. I went to my doctor first who sent me to physical therapy.....sorry to say no quick fix. If you have been diagnosed with a pinched nerve....you may be able to get an injection into the area to ease the pain or possibly a muscle relaxer. Definitely see your doctor! He/She will be able to determine which way to treat your pain. Physical therapy helped me :-)

Alternate between heat (heating pad, hot water bottle) and cold (ice pack). It will relieve the soreness of the muscles surround the pinched nerve. Do 15 minutes of ice, 15 minutes of nothing, 15 minutes of heat. Alternate that throughout the day. IcyHot may help, as well. It will at least numb the area for a while, so you can feel mostly pain-free. Hope this helps.

Have you tried a chiropractor? I use Dr. Snyder in Marysville and my husband and I like him. He's a little big rough (not painful), but does a good job and knows what he's doing. He fixed a pinched nerve for my husband!

You should see a Chiropractor. The meds are just a bandaid. A Chiropractor can get to the root of the problem so it doesn't keep reoccuring.

For immediate relief, try ice. Ice will reduce the inflammation and relieve some of the pain. I go to a chiropractor for my neck and shoulder problems. If you can get into see one, they may be able to give you some relief right away.

I have had a similar problem and tried everything so I'm not sure what ended up working(or if it was actually a pinched nerve) but I do not have the problem any more. Try any of the following; Chiropractor, the strongest pain reliever you will take( I just took 4 advil), ice your spine and put heat on your muscles surrounding the spine, massage, massage, massage(you can do this yourself several times a day), sit and stand up straight, get a good pillow that has a curve in it, stretches(reach left arm under and behind back like you are scratching your upper spine and put right arm over your head to touch your ear then turn your head like you are sniffing your armpit and pull your head down- repeat on other side)

Hope this helps!

M.

You need to go to the EGOSCUE website and pull of a couple of e-cises for head & neck pain. I'm a certified posture alignment & pain management specialist who lives in Fishers, IN. Where are you?

I had a pinched nerve in my back and I could barely walk so I understand your pain. :( I had to go to the doctor and he prescribed Flexoril and valium! The Flexoril was all I needed but he also mentioned Ibuprofin for the inflammation will also help a lot with minor cases of a pinched nerve. I hope this helps.