Our Park Ridge chiropractor for pinched nerves made time to answer your frequently asked questions. Whether you have a pinched nerve or are just concerned about the health of a family member or friend, this blog post would help you.
QUESTION #1: How do you sleep with a pinched nerve in the neck?
If you’re tossing and turning due to pain and discomfort in your neck, here are two tips to help you sleep soundly and pain-free, even with a compressed or pinched nerve in your neck.
Elevate your neck while sleeping
By placing a sleeping roll on top of your pillow, you can elevate your neck. If your room doesn’t have one, you can DIY by simply rolling a bath towel. A bath towel may not be as comfortable as a sleeping roll, but you can position it in a way that works best for you.
Avoid sleeping on your stomach
Another way to have a pain-free sleep even with a pinched nerve is by not sleeping on your stomach. Sleeping on your stomach can harm the health of your neck.
QUESTION #2: What are the symptoms of a pinched nerve in the neck?
A pinched nerve may occur in various parts of the body, often in the hands, back, neck, shoulders, and wrists. Muscles, bones, and other parts within your body can pinch on your nerves, causing pain, irritation, and weakness.
How do you know if you have a pinched nerve in the neck? Take a look at these common signs:
Numbness
Have you experienced grasping an object, but your hands couldn’t seem to feel it? A pinched nerve in the neck could cause that numbness in your hands. There’s nothing much to worry about it since a loss in sensation can quickly fade.
Muscle Weakness
When a nerve is compressed in your neck, you may feel muscle weakness. As a result, you may experience a loss of motor function in the part of your body that’s affected by nerve compression. So, if there’s nothing that can explain the unexpected weakness in your shoulder or arms, then a compressed nerve in the neck can be the culprit. This symptom can make you feel tired and weary throughout the day.
Radiating Pain
If you have a pinched nerve in your neck, you’re most likely going to feel series of pain that travels to your arms and shoulders. This pain can rob you of living a happy and productive life.
Sleeping Hands
You might have experienced a sleeping hand at least once in your life. It may occur after you lie on your hand for a prolonged period. Patients with a pinched nerve in the neck experience this symptom frequently out of nowhere.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and pinched nerves, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Question #3: Is it fine to exercise even if I have a pinched nerve?
Yes, exercise is an excellent way to deal with a pinched nerve in the neck. Actively moving your body can help in alleviating its symptoms. Exercise reduces tension and stiffness in the surrounding muscles of the compressed nerve.
The exercises below can help relieve the discomfort of having a compressed nerve in the neck.
- Walking
- Yoga
- Tilting the neck up and down
- Shoulder rolls
- Head turns
QUESTION #4: Can a pinched nerve in the neck make you dizzy?
The compression of a nerve in the neck area can result in decreased brain signals, leading to feelings of instability or dizziness. This can disable an individual from performing even the most basic tasks such as walking and standing.
You can visit our Park Ridge chiropractor for pinched nerves to examine the source of your symptoms.
Question #5: Can rest relieve a pinched nerve in the neck?
Yes, rest can help ease the symptoms of a pinched nerve. You must slow down and limit doing activities that require your neck to exert too much effort, including lifting heavy objects.
Here are other ways to ease the pain of a pinched nerve at home:
- Correct your posture when sitting or standing. If you work very long hours in front of your desk, be sure to maintain proper posture – one that does not stress your neck and back muscles. In addition, you can also switch to an ergonomic work setup.
- Apply cold or hot compress. Applying hot or cold pads on your neck can help ease the tension caused by a pinched nerve. This can also help relax your muscles as well as decrease inflammation.
Question #6: How long does a pinched nerve in the neck last?
A pinched nerve in the neck can cause pain and numbness that may travel down your arms and shoulders. The pain typically lasts for several days. However, if any chronic condition like arthritis causes nerve compression on your neck, the pain could last longer. Permanent damage to the nerve could only be possible if the pressure continues to pinch the nerve.
Question #7: Should I see a Park Ridge Chiropractor for Pinched Nerves?
Yes! Dr. Andrew, our Park Ridge chiropractor for pinched nerves, uses a specific technique to help relieve your pain. He offers a careful and gentle way to realign your spine and get your body back to optimal health.
With this natural approach of relieving a pinched nerve in the neck, you won’t have to go through unnecessary prescriptions and surgeries anymore. No more band-aid solutions, just pure relief.
Contact Our Park Ridge Chiropractor for Pinched Nerves
Pinched nerves are often caused by one of the least detected and considered factors—spinal misalignments. Leaving them untreated can put you at risk for developing other health problems and worse pains.
Set an appointment with Dr. Andrew by calling Optimal Health Family Chiropractic at (201) 505-8984. Our team strives to give you the solution for a pain-free life.
To schedule a consultation with Optimal Health Family Chiropractic, call (201) 505-8984, or just click the button below.