Quality Care for Pinched Nerve in Northern California
The nerve root is where a nerve branches off the spinal cord and exits between two vertebrae. The eight nerve roots in your neck control muscles and feeling in different areas of your upper arms and body. A pinched nerve in the neck (cervical radiculopathy) occurs when a nerve root becomes compressed or irritated.
To receive a proper diagnosis for your neck condition or injury, it’s important to see a doctor. A pinched nerve isn’t life threatening, but it can diminish your quality of life and potentially cause permanent nerve damage if it doesn’t resolve on its own. At Dignity Health North State, our orthopedic team is dedicated to alleviating your pain and increasing your mobility. To treat a pinched nerve in Northern California, Find a Doctor today.
Pinched Nerve Symptoms
Pain that radiates down the shoulder or arm is the primary symptom of a pinched nerve in the neck. You may also experience tingling, weakness, or numbness in the hand, shoulder, or arm.
Causes of Pinched Nerve
Arthritis and herniated, ruptured, or slipped discs are the the two primary causes of pinched nerves in the neck. Both are spinal conditions involving the spinal discs, which are found between your vertebral bones and act as cushions between them, allowing the spine to flex and bend.
Arthritis, or degenerative disc disease, tends to occur as you age. The nerve root space in the spinal cord narrows and flexibility of the spine diminishes as the the discs start to shrink and become more rigid. This puts pressure on the nerves.
With a herniated, ruptured, or slipped spinal disc, the gel-like center of the disc pushes out through a tear in the disc wall. This can pinch off a nerve.
Pinched Nerve Treatment at Dignity Health North State
Your treatment options at Dignity Health North State will depend on how long you’ve had your symptoms and their severity. Most of the time, a pinched nerve in the neck will gradually resolve over time and doesn’t require treatment. However, your symptoms may recur in the future.
If your symptoms do not improve with time, nonsurgical treatments include anti-inflammatory medicines, a soft neck collar, and physical therapy. If less invasive treatments don’t provide relief, surgery to remove the damaged disc may be an option.
Our orthopedic experts can help you find the right solution to relieve your pinched nerve with our personalized treatment options. Make an appointment today.
Dignity Health’s orthopedic team offers complete treatment for painful pinched nerves in Mt. Shasta, Red Bluff, and Redding, CA.