A pinched nerve in your neck can be caused by something as simple as making repetitive motions or maintaining one position for too long (ie: while sleeping). It can also be caused by something internal, like a herniated disc. How do you know if you have a pinched nerve in your neck? Let’s take a look at some pinched nerve in neck symptoms.

Impacts of a Pinched Nerve

Nerves carry messages from the brain to the body and send messages back to the brain. When pressure is placed on a nerve, the nerve may send signals that the brain interprets as pain.

However, the nerves that run through the spinal canal aren’t just any nerves…they’re the main nerves that transmit messages to everywhere else in the the body.

Why are Spinal Nerves So Significant?

Let’s imagine the nerves in the body are like the roads in your town. If we think of your house as being your brain then your spinal nerves are like the street you live on. In order for you to get from your house (your brain) to anywhere else in town (the rest of your body) you must first travel down your street (spinal nerve). Also, in order for any message to get from town (your body) back to your house (brain) it, again, has to travel on your street (spinal nerve). If there’s a roadblock or disruption on the street you live on (spinal nerves), it can have a disastrous effect on your ability to travel between your home (brain) and the rest of the town (your body).

Well, the nerves in your neck are similar to your street in this analogy. Injury or stress on these nerves can affect more than just your neck. They can affect your ability to send signals to other parts of your body. They can also impact the signals that are sent back to the brain from the rest of your body.

Pinched Nerve in Neck Symptoms

A pinched nerve in your neck can lead to:

• Pain
• Tingling or “Pins and Needles” Feeling
• Numbness
• Weakness

However, because the nerve being pinched is a spinal nerve, the symptoms may be felt in more areas than just the neck. This radiating of pain is called cervical radiculopathy and can cause symptoms in areas such as the:

• Neck
• Shoulder
• Arm
• Elbow
• Wrist
• Hand
• Fingers

The symptoms of a pinched nerve in your neck may also get worse when you move your head or neck.

I Have a Pinched Nerve in My Neck, Now What?

If you have a pinched nerve in your neck the good news is that it often gets better with time. Also, there are many pinched nerve remedies that can be done at home.

References

1. https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/compressed-nerves#1
2. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/cervical-radiculopathy-pinched-nerve/