Pinched Nerve in My Neck/shoulder HELP!

Updated on May 27, 2008
S.K. asks from South Bend, IN
15 answers

In the past day I have gotten a pinched nerve in my shoulder/neck area.. HELP ME... I am almost crippled by this and the pain in unbearable! What can I do... I need something quick we have a family get together for the holiday and I want to go but like this there is no way. Help! It hurts real bad

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

So thank you all so much for your responses. I couldn't bare the pain any longer. The cross b/t heating pads and ice packs and advil just weren't working. I went to the E/R at 4am! I told them I had a pinched nerve and probably would need a muscle relaxer and then send me on my way. (I work at a Hospital and hate the e/r) Then the doctor seen me for 20 seconds and got a phone call and had to leave...20 seconds! Then a lady comes to get me for xrays..? (ok,whatever) then another lady comes to get me for blood work... BLood work! what? I came in for a pinched nerve.. I tried to tell her that seemed unnessary so then my nurse who was a .....! came back and said that the blood work could determine what was causing my abdominal pain... ( I DIDN"T HAVE ABDOMINAL PAIN!) I of course in pain told her kind of loudly that I didn't have abdominal pain and would like to know from the doctor why bloodwork was needed for a pinched nerve, she then scolded me like a child and told me to lower my voice that there were other patients there.. SO I reminded her that I was aware of the other patients thats why I waited 4 1/2hrs to see a doctor! Anyway after xrays,bloodwork, a shot of phenegan? (don't know why) and some tordol.. the doc came back in and said.."well I think you have a pinched nerve" DUH!!!!!!! He prescribed me some flexoral and napraxin? Anyway, I feel a little better now

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.V.

answers from Indianapolis on

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

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.E.

answers from Muncie on

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

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Indianapolis on

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!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.L.

answers from Cincinnati on

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.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.G.

answers from Cincinnati on

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 : )

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.R.

answers from Indianapolis on

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

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

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

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.E.

answers from Indianapolis on

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 :-)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.P.

answers from Canton on

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.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.T.

answers from Columbus on

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!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.B.

answers from Columbus on

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.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

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.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.F.

answers from Indianapolis on

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.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

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?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.N.

answers from Evansville on

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.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions