A pinched nerve in the shoulder occurs when surrounding tissues, such as bone, cartilage, muscle, or tendons, exert pressure on a nerve. This compression can disrupt the nerve’s normal function, often leading to symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that can radiate from the neck into the shoulder and arm. Common reasons for a pinched nerve include poor posture, repetitive movements, injuries, or age-related changes like disc degeneration and herniated discs in the cervical spine.
Immediate Home Relief Strategies
Immediate home strategies can alleviate discomfort associated with a pinched nerve in the shoulder. Rest is a primary recommendation, avoiding activities that worsen pain or aggravate the nerve.
Ice and heat therapy can provide relief. For the initial 48 hours after pain begins, ice is beneficial to reduce inflammation and swelling around the affected nerve. Following this period, or if it feels more comfortable, heat can be used to help relax muscles and improve blood flow. Both ice and heat applications should typically be limited to 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
OTC pain relievers can manage pain and inflammation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are common choices that help reduce inflammation. Acetaminophen can also be used for pain relief. For localized nerve pain, topical creams containing lidocaine or capsaicin can offer temporary numbing effects by blocking pain signals at the skin’s surface.
Correcting posture helps relieve pressure on the nerve. Maintaining proper alignment while sitting, standing, and even sleeping can prevent further compression. When sitting, ensure your back is supported and your shoulders are relaxed, avoiding slouching. For sleeping, using a pillow that supports the natural curve of your neck can help keep the cervical spine in a neutral position, reducing nerve irritation.
Gentle stretching and controlled movements can help decompress the nerve and improve mobility. It is important to perform these exercises slowly and stop immediately if any movement increases pain. Simple exercises include:
Chin tucks (gently pulling your head back to create a double chin, holding for 3-5 seconds, repeating five times).
Neck bends (slowly lowering your chin to your chest, holding for 10 seconds, repeating 5-10 times).
Head turns (slowly turning your head to the side as far as comfortable without pain, holding for 5-10 seconds).
Shoulder rolls (lifting shoulder blades towards ears, then rolling them backward and down, repeating five times in each direction).
A trapezius stretch (moving your neck downward to one side while lowering the opposite shoulder, holding for 30 seconds, repeating 3-4 times per side).
A sliding towel stretch uses a towel to gently pull the affected arm up and down, promoting mobility.
When to Seek Professional Help
While many pinched nerves in the shoulder resolve with home remedies, certain signs indicate the need for professional medical evaluation. You should consult a healthcare professional if your pain worsens or does not show improvement after a few days to a week of consistent home care. Persistent or intensifying numbness, tingling, or a spreading sensation down the arm or hand are also reasons to seek medical advice.
The development of muscle weakness in the affected arm or hand, such as difficulty grasping objects, warrants prompt medical attention. Other concerning symptoms include a loss of sensation, changes in dexterity like trouble with writing or fastening buttons, or abnormal reflexes. If the symptoms significantly interfere with your daily activities or if you experience sudden weakness, paralysis, or loss of bladder or bowel control, immediate medical care is necessary.
Professional Treatment Options
If home remedies are insufficient, a medical professional can offer various treatment options to relieve a pinched nerve in the shoulder. Physical therapy is often a primary recommendation, where a therapist guides specific exercises to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility and range of motion. Physical therapists may also use manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue massage and joint mobilization, to reduce muscle tension and restore proper joint alignment.
Beyond physical therapy, a doctor might prescribe stronger medications. These can include more potent pain relievers or muscle relaxants to alleviate severe discomfort and spasms. Oral corticosteroids may be prescribed for a short duration to reduce inflammation and swelling around the nerve. In some cases, anti-seizure medications like gabapentin or tricyclic antidepressants such as nortriptyline may be used to manage nerve-related pain.
Corticosteroid injections can be administered directly to the site of the pinched nerve to deliver a concentrated dose of anti-inflammatory medication. This can provide significant pain relief by reducing local inflammation and pressure on the nerve.
If conservative treatments do not provide lasting relief and symptoms persist or worsen over several weeks to months, surgery may be considered as a last resort. The goal of surgical intervention is to directly relieve pressure on the nerve, which might involve removing bone spurs or a portion of a herniated disc that is compressing the nerve.