Alternative Treatments
January 23, 2012 - 11:58am
Pinched nerve in neck- what treatment to try
I have a pinched nerve in my neck caused by my muscles. I have seen a neurologist and had and MRI and xray. Everything came back normal. I have been seeing a chiropractor for 3 months and it helps. I also get massages done w/ ultrasound and heat. The orginal pain was on my right side/ neck area. I seem to keep injuring my back in different areas. I was doing really well and felt like I was almost healed, then I lifted my son and pulled the left side/ middle back area. I am now experiencing a lot of pain and tightness in my neck. I have started taking muscle relaxers only at night since I injured the middle back area. This is now fixed. I am not sure if there is a medication that would help with my muscles. I am doing stretches, yoga, and light weight exercising the chiropractor has recommended, but even injured myself doing those too frequently w/ 2 lb weights. I feel like I get an adjustment or massage and feel good for a few days, then back to pain. I am also unable to sit comfortably. I have an appointment set with a Physical Med Specialist, but can't get in until the end of March. Is it normal to take this long to heal?
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Jess,
I'm a swimming coach NOT a Dr. Just someone with experience with your symptoms, mainly because in swimming the repetitive head movements in the water sometimes lead to pinched nerves which in competitive swimming can be a real issue if your training is demanding.
I can only offer what my swimmers use to help for PINCHED nerves.
step 1) First assess what time you plan to sleep e.g. 10pm. Approx 1 1/2 hour before put yourself in the Bakody Sign Position (google it) for 2mins on your left, then rest 2 min and then on your right. Do this so you hold the position for 2mins x 3 on each side - DONT HOLD THE POSITION IF IT BECOMES TOO PAINFUL.
2) After you finish the Bakody Get some ICE/FROZEN FOOD and place on the area you are having the discomfort. If possible try to lie on your back so the cold is pressed against the uncomfortable area. Leave the cold there for 10mins then remove for 10mins then place it back on for 10mins.
3) Have a bath run in between your cold sessions and (optional) take 1 x ibuprofen.
4) Immediately after the second cold session get into a hot bath for 20mins. Get out and try to go to sleep on your back/side.
Most of the swimmers with trapped nerves use these sessions with a marked improvement. Its very much about getting the muscles stiff and the nerves slightly numbed before allowing the body to relax and hopefully let and natural pinches release. I wouldn't say this always works for the swimmers but a high percentage after 3-5days experience some relief.
One IMPORTANT note true nerve entrapment will not be solved by these sessions and usually the pain denotes the difference. A true entrapment is persistent high level of pain over days-years often needs therapy/injections/surgery. A Dr is the best placed for such things.
I re-edited this after speaking with some of the swimmers currently under going this treatment as I noted a percentage of 80-90% success. This was way off the mark and I'm sorry. The success is closer too 70-80% in the 122 swimmers reporting 'trapped nerve' after swimming. Those not reacting positively then go onto physiotherapists and Drs etc. and this takes (in the UK) 1-5 days to org physio and 1-3 months to organise the MRI if the dr deemed necessary
Hope your feeling better
Jim
JSLEIGHT