A compressed nerve anywhere along your spinal column can be uncomfortable, but that’s especially true if the impingement occurs in your cervical spine, which helps to form your neck. This can lead to a number of symptoms both in the area of the impingement and elsewhere in the body. With that in mind, we wanted to share some of the common signs and symptoms that suggest you may be dealing with a compressed nerve in your neck.
Symptoms Of A Compressed Nerve In The Cervical Spine
Seven bony vertebrae help to make up the cervical portion of your spine, and the area is also home to a number of nerves and nerve roots that branch down your back, arms and legs. If any of these nerves become compressed, it can lead to the onset of a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, some of which can be tough to trace back to the impingement because they develop in other areas of our body. Here’s a closer look at some of the common signs and symptoms of a compressed nerve in your neck:
- Localized Pain – One of the most common symptoms involves pain at the site of the compressed nerve.
- Numbness – Nerve compression can inhibit normal sensory relay to and from the brain, leading to localized numbness.
- Radiating Discomfort – If a nerve that extends down your arm or leg is compressed in the neck region, it can cause pain symptoms anywhere along that nerve. For some people, a pinched nerve in the neck can lead to shooting pain in their shoulders, arms and legs.
- Muscle Weakness/Decreased Motor Function – A compressed nerve can also lead to muscle weakness and loss of normal motor function in areas of the body affected by the pinched nerve.
- Extremities Falling Asleep – You’ve probably woken up with a foot or arm that’s asleep from resting in an odd position for an extended period, but if your hands or feet are falling asleep more regularly and there’s no clear indication why, it could be the result of a compressed nerve in your neck.
- Gait Problems – A compressed nerve in your spinal canal can also affect your gait, causing you to walk with a limp or a visible hitch in your step.
Treating Compressed Cervical Nerves
While they can present with a number of uncomfortable symptoms, the good news is that many compressed nerves respond well to conservative treatment. Rest, controlled stretching, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications all tend to help to eliminate the compression, but it’s still worth connecting with a spine specialist to ensure you are getting the right type of treatment. Different underlying causes of compression require different treatments, so a nerve that is being compressed by a disc will respond better to different treatment than one that is bothered by inflammation caused by chronic stress.
Dr. Jackman and the team at the Midwest Spine & Brain Institute have helped countless patients free their compressed nerves for good, and we’d love to do the same for you. So if you believe you are dealing with nerve compression in your neck or anywhere else along your spinal canal, reach out to Dr. Jackman to set up an appointment. We have a number of techniques for pinpointing the precise location of the compression so that we can set you up with a treatment plan suited to your specific needs. For more information, or for help with your neck pain, give our team a call today at (651) 430-3800.
