Fact Checked
A pinched nerve involves compression on a nerve in the shoulder. It can be caused by injuries and any condition that causes swelling of the tissues and damage to the bones. A pinched nerve in the shoulder is due to injury in the tendons and muscles. In most cases, it does not cause permanent damage when the pressure placed on the affected area is minimized.
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTNWoaaZNM0″]Causes
- Pinched nerve in the shoulder is a common cause of neck pain among people exposed to strenuous physical activity especially athletes that are poorly trained. It causes inflammation or over-stretching of the peripheral nerve fibers in some parts of the body.
- Women who have large breasts have poor posture are susceptible to develop a pinched nerve in the shoulder.
- An obese person has a high risk of developing a pinched nerve on the shoulder.
- Pregnant woman are also prone due to swelling from pregnancy that places substantial pressure on the nerves and pathways of nerves.
- Taking certain medications can also increase the risk
Pinched nerve in the shoulder is a common cause of neck pain among people exposed to strenuous physical activity especially athletes that are poorly trained. - Prolonged standing and poor managed herniated discs and osteoporosis.
Symptoms
- The arms feel numb or decreased sensation caused by the compressed nerve.
- “Pin and needles” sensation in the arm
- A sharp, burning pain which spreads out to the area where the nerve is pinched.
- If the pinched nerve is near the spine, sneezing causes severe pain and result to muscle twitching or weakness.
- The symptoms become severe especially when resting and sleeping.
Treatment
- Get plenty of rest especially the affected shoulder in order to help lessen the spread of inflammation.
- Apply an ice pack on the affected shoulder. All you have to do is wrap an ice pack or bag of peas in a towel and place it on the affected area. Cold helps lessen the inflammation and swelling of the nerve since it also numbs and minimizes pain.
- Seek the help of a physical therapist for some exercises that helps to lessen the degree of inflammation by correcting posture and help in stabilizing the connective tissue matrix.
- Perform shoulder shrugs can help in improving the movement and flexibility across the joint of the shoulder and should be done in a standing posture. Shrug the shoulder by elevating the elbows to shoulder level and rotate, then both shoulders together in the clockwise direction at least 15-30 times every day.
- Physical therapy aims to increase the range of motion at the level of the shoulder as well as helps increase the flow of blood across the affected shoulder joint for fast healing of the damaged nerve.