<p>I have a pinched nerve in my neck. I’ve had it for 2 1/2 weeks. I am going to a physical therapist and a chiropractor. I am slowly getting better. Slowly. I am getting more movement in my neck. The pain is always there. </p>
<p>Which therapy worked for you? What is the downside of getting a cortisone shot in the troubled area?</p>
<p>I am amazed by how little sleep I need. Under the circumstances, that is a good thing.</p>
<p>I found that accupuncture was the only way to get relief. That, and time. It can take about a year to heal. (PT actually made it worse.) There’s a terrific ointment called Biofreeze that numbs it temporarily - you can try that at bedtime.</p>
<p>So sorry, I know you’re in a lot of pain. I had problems with pinched nerves about a year ago - had an MRI and have “impingement” from calcium spurs on C4, C5 and C6. left arm was completely numb. docs were talking surgery - but I went to a fabulous physical therapist - he worked on me for 2-3 months, and I am now pretty much back to normal. </p>
<p>I don’t think I’d do a chriopractor and therapist together - one may undo what the other has done. I did try a chriopractor, before doing the physical therapy, which slightly relieved symptoms, but didn’t really help. My physical therapist had advanced training (actually he was amazing) - and he used the info from the MRI in treatment.</p>
<p>Good luck, I know how miserable you are not sleeping - when the pain was at its worst I tried to sleep in a recliner - that was the most comfortable place, but the pain was still almost unbearable. a flexible ice pack can be a little helpful also.</p>
<p>An MRI can usually tell what is exactly happening with your neck/back, and the best treatment options.</p>
<p>agree with georgiamom-- get a good diagnosis-- then ca decide if steroid ingections or minimally invasive procedures will help. If possible try to avoid major back surgery- save it as a last resort.</p>
<p>Pinched nerves can sure be a problem. A chiropractor has always been able to fix the recurring pinched nerve in my neck – and usually in a couple of weeks during an incident. I don’t have any other insights for you, just sympathy.</p>
<p>Ouch ouch ouch.</p>
<p>I am so sorry! Yes, chiropractic has worked for me. But the first chiropractor I tried wasn’t the right one. I just knew. Also, we have a magical medical message therapist in town by whom my friends swear.</p>
<p>Best of luck and hoping for sweet dreams.</p>
<p>Just adding my sympathy to the bunch. I’ve had some issues with this as well, Like georgiamom, I had an MRI a few years ago and have some bulging discs in the same area. Went to PT - a combination of icing, massage and the right exercises really helped. A cortisone shot was not suggested at the time. When you are feeling back to normal it is also a great idea to do some exercises to strengthen the muscles in your neck - this does seems to help. </p>
<p>Ironically, when I started working out with a new trainer it did trigger a recurrence - I am more careful, now. One more thing and this is definitely true - SITTING AT THE COMPUTER DOESN"T HELP!!! LOL. :)</p>
<p>I’d recommend acupuncture–from a Chinese trained accupuncturist if you can find one. Look in the Yellow Pages. They tend to list their degrees in Traditional (not MD) Chinese Medicine.</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the good wishes. </p>
<p>No, sitting at a computer doesn’t help. :)</p>
<p>I dropped the chiropractor today. That style of working on a person is not for me. (I feel better already. 
)</p>
<p>A friend of mine, who is a physical therapist, is gathering names of accupuncturists for me.</p>
<p>Mild pinched nerve here, from time to time. </p>
<p>Sitting at the computer–BAD. Playing the piano for hours–BAD but often unavoidable.</p>
<p>The doc said it’s tricky to diagnose and treat these things. Best is exercise to strengthen muscles and promote good posture at all times. Ha.</p>
<p>I would just caution that if any symptoms of numbness or altered motor function in your arms occur that you take it seriously and see an orthopoedic MD who specializes in necks.
I work with a physician who did the chiropracter, acupuncture, therapy route and ignored the worsening symptoms of numbness and decreased function in her hands.
She ended up needing emergency surgery and is now unable to practice as an OB/GYN in an inpatient setting due to permanent loss of sensation in her hands.</p>
<p>Keymom, thanks. Right now numbness is not a problem. If it becomes a problem, I won’t fool around.</p>
<p>Another vote for acupuncture - I have been going regularly for years and it has helped with all kinds of problems.</p>
<p>My dad had a pinched nerve in his neck years ago. He was in agony. Surgery worked.</p>
<p>(BTW, try the shot first --I waited a year and lost function of my hand before I went for a steroid injection. It helped so much–I felt like a fool for suffering so long. The only downside is that I needed another one about a year and a half later).</p>
<p>dsark:</p>
<p>I feel your pain. I had a inflammed pinched nerve at the C4/C5 vertebrae. The pain was so intense through my chest and shooting down my arm, that I went to the emergency room in the middle of a Saturday night thinking I must be having a heart attack. I was so happy that my heart was fine, that I just went home. They never diagnosed the pinched nerve, even though I spent the hours in the emergency room stretching my arm over my head as the only way to relieve the pain.</p>
<p>Big mistake. The pain got worse all day Sunday. By Sunday night, I had not slept in 24 hours, but the only way to bear the pain was to stand up. I spent all of Sunday night standing up, leaning against a wall, until I fell asleep standing up, fell down, and started the process over. That went on all night. I was to exhausted to stay awake, but in too much pain to sit or lie down. </p>
<p>Went to the doctor Monday morning after 36 hours without sleep. The nurse practicioner saw me with my armed stretched over my head and immediate diagnosed the pinced nerve. She started me on steroid pills and gave me a presciption for Oxycotin – which was the solution for sleeping, which I desperately, desperately needed. Fortunately, the steroid pills worked and I was good as new a week later.</p>
<p>You may also be able to get a little relief if you can hook your feet under the footboard of the bed, stretch your arms above your head to the headboard and stretch yourself out.</p>
<p>"I was to exhausted to stay awake, but in too much pain to sit or lie down. </p>
<p>Interesteddad, I understand perfectly. When I read your post, I can’t help but wonder if I am taking the wrong approach. I haven’t used anything stronger than Aleve, and although I am better, I am certainly not done witrh this and don’t expect to be over this for a few more weeks.
I don’t feel like starting steroids and oxycotin now, after getting through the worst stages without them. If I had to do it all over again though…</p>
<p>atomom, I have heard that the downside of the shot is you may have to take it twice, just like you said. Doesn’t seem like a large downside to me. Actually, the biggest downside of the shot is you have to take a MRI. I hate MRIs.</p>
<p>Recently a female cousin contacted me, to see if I could help her stop the PAIN. She knew I had been a LMT. and thought I could help with the horrible pain she had been experiencing for the last two weeks. She has been seeing her primary MD. and all he has done is write scripts for meds. none seem to help. What she didn’t know before calling me is that I had experienced the exact same symptoms and level of pain 2 years ago. She described her pain as starting at the neck and running down the right arm. She cannot find any relief nor can she sleep. Like her I had to drive my car with my arm over my head. It made me just comfortable enough to make it to work. I have directed her to the pain management Dr. that injected my disc. I found noted improvement four days later. I believe the injection along with PT. was the secret.</p>
<p>Dstark,</p>
<p>I had a lot of neck pain and one day woke up with a numb arm. Had an MRI, and it showed a herniated disc in my neck. I’ve had physical therapy and a steroid injection and for now am holding steady. My back started hurting, so I had another MRI and it showed 3 herniated discs in my lower back. More steroid injections and I’m feeling better and back on the treadmill. I’m being very careful though; no incline, no jogging. It’s better than nothing. So far, no one has said the “surgery word.” I personally prefer the steroid injections vs. taking steroids by mouth. Long term they have side effect’s I’d rather avoid.</p>
<p>Sorry you’re not feeling well. Chronic pain is a big challenge. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks. This was a year and a half ago. I’m about 98% recovered. </p>
<p>I never had a shot. Took several months to really feel good. </p>
<p>I still have a slight pain in my left index finger from the episode.</p>
<p>Not a big deal.</p>
<p>Nrdsb4, I hope you feel better soon.</p>
<p>Wow, I need to start noticing the dates on the original posts! I wonder how these old threads get resurrected.</p>
<p>Well, glad you’re better. Thanks for the encouragement.</p>