A pinched nerve in the neck can cause symptoms of pain and muscle spasm due to arthritis or disk problems

A pinched nerve usually results from neck arthritis, which forms bone spurs or decreases the opening through which a nerve travels or disk problems where a herniated disk presses on the nerve.

Typical symptoms of a pinched nerve in the neck may be pain, tingling, numbness or muscle weakness in specific areas related to the path that the nerve travels as illustrated in the neck injury article. The symptoms are sometimes made worse by coughing, sneezing or straining as in moving the bowels. Symptoms usually start at the neck and may travel into the shoulder or arm depending on how bad the nerve is being pinched.

You can see in the picture that the nerve in red is being pinched causing pain and inflammation. The disk in light blue is distorted at this level. Normally, the disk is healthy and maintains adequate space for the nerve to pass through. However, a protrusion or herniation of the disk can alter the normal relationship of structures in the neck to cause pinching.

Similarly, as the nerve travels between the neck bones, a bone spur or degenerated joints from arthritis can also alter the normal relationship and place hard structures on the soft nerve.

Treatment varies from anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, manipulation and sometimes surgery depending on what is pinching the nerve and the extent of any damage.

I have had 3 pinched nerves in my neck. One caused mainly neck pain, the other was a very painful experience with pain radiating from the neck into the arm. The first 2 were due to herniated discs and the 3rd was a protruded disk which is still bothersome.

Eventually, the disk dries out and inflammation subsides, however, the altered mechanics of the joints usually causes degenerative arthritis. Unfortunately, the resulting degenerative arthritis will try to stabilize the region by fusing it. Calcium deposits form bridges between joints and possibly forming a spur which can further pinch a nerve in the neck.

The symptoms and causes of a pinched nerve in the neck are varied. Any space occupying lesion can put pressure on a nerve which includes a tumor, so it is important to see your health care provider for a full evaluation.

Make sure to use the right neck pillow while sleeping, correct posture faults, make corrective neck exercises a daily habit as well as judicious use of heat for neck pain relief and consider joint supplements for long term management.