Can physical therapy help individuals with a pinched nerve in the neck?

 

Pinched Nerve In The Neck

A pinched nerve in the neck can cause pain, numbness, and weakness that extends through the neck, shoulder, and arm. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2024) Over-the-counter pain medication, rest, and gentle stretching can help. However, if the pain persists after a few days, see a healthcare provider. Common treatments include:

• Rest
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain meds
• Physical therapy
• Steroid injections
• Wearing a neck collar

Surgery is rarely needed, but it can provide relief if other treatments don’t help. Most of the time, a pinched nerve resolves within days or weeks.

How a Pinched Nerve in the Neck Feels

Neck nerve pain is called cervical radiculopathy (cervical spine pain). Common symptoms of a pinched nerve in the neck are: (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2024)

• Sharp pain that extends into the shoulder and arm.
• The pain worsens, or you feel a shooting sensation, when turning your head.
• Tingling or a pins-and-needles feeling in the fingers or hand.
• Weakness in the arm, shoulder, or hand.
• Numbness or loss of feeling.

Often, these symptoms occur only on one side. Some people feel less pain when they lift their hand to their head, which can relieve pressure on the nerve.

Causes

The cervical spine is the spinal cord area around the neck. It’s made up of seven vertebrae. Nerves branch off the spinal cord between the vertebrae. Nerve compression occurs when the space between two vertebrae is reduced, putting pressure on the nerve, pinching it, and causing pain. Pinched nerves develop with age because the spinal discs between the vertebrae become compressed over time. Age causes about 70% to 80% of nerve compression. Other factors that cause pinched nerves include: (Harvard Health Publishing, 2021)

• Degenerative disc disease
• A herniated disc
• Injuries like car accidents, falls, or other trauma to the spine
• Spinal stenosis

Self-Care Relief

If you have nerve pain and think it is a pinched nerve, self-care can help (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2025)

Rest

• Find a comfortable position and let the muscles in your neck relax and rest.

Heat or Ice

• Warmth and coolness can relieve pain and inflammation.
• Use a warm or cool compress for 15 minutes at a time.

Over-The-Counter Pain Medications

• Pain medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can help bring relief.

Treatment for Severe Symptoms

If pain doesn’t resolve within a few days, or if it is so bad that you can’t go about daily activities, it’s recommended to see a healthcare provider. They can diagnose a pinched nerve after a physical exam and may also recommend imaging, including an X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or EMG, to reveal what’s causing the symptoms. After diagnosing the condition, the healthcare provider will develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include the following (Harvard Health Publishing, 2021)

Physical Therapy

• Physical therapy can help build neck strength and flexibility.
• This is especially important if there is frequent nerve pain in the same spot.

Cervical Collar

• A soft cervical collar is a brace that fits around the neck.
• It supports your head so the neck muscles can relax, facilitating healing.
• The collar can also keep the head from turning in painful ways.

Oral Corticosteroids

• Oral steroids like prednisone can help reduce inflammation.
• If inflammation or swelling in the neck puts more pressure on the nerve, they can help.

Steroid Injections

• Steroid shots right into the painful tissue reduce inflammation right away.

Muscle Relaxers

• These medications keep the neck muscles from seizing up.
• As the muscles relax, pain relief follows.

Narcotic Pain Medications

• Narcotic pain medications can be used short-term by individuals who have severe pain.
• A healthcare provider will inform the patient of the benefits and drawbacks of these medications, which include opiates.

Neck Exercises

Gentle stretches can help alleviate the pain and strengthen the muscles. (National Health Service, 2025)

Chin to chest

• Bring your chin toward your chest.
• Hold for 20 seconds, then return to a neutral position.
• Do this five times.

Eyes to Sky

• Lean your head back and look toward the sky.
• Hold for 20 seconds, then return to your starting position.
• Do this five times.

Side to Side

• Turn your head to the right as far as possible, bringing your chin in line with your shoulder.
• Hold for 20 seconds, then turn as far as possible toward the left.
• Repeat four times.

Ear to Shoulder

• Bring your ear down toward your shoulder.
• Hold for 20 seconds, then repeat the exercise on the other side.
• Alternate between the right and left, stretching each side five times.

While it’s normal for exercises to hurt when you stretch the muscles, it should never hurt more than a 5 on a pain scale of 1 to 10. If they do, stop exercising (National Health Service, 2025)

Healing Time

Healing and recovery depend on the injury’s severity. Some individuals find that pinched-nerve pain goes away in days, while for others, it can last for weeks. The pain may go away and then return. If pain doesn’t go away with conservative treatments or lasts more than a few days, talk with a healthcare provider or return for a second visit. Rarely do individuals need surgery to bring pain relief. The healthcare provider will discuss whether surgery is the best option and what to expect regarding pain relief. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2024)

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to build optimal health and wellness solutions. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, prevent injury, and mitigate issues through adjustments that help the body realign itself. The clinic can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal problems.

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References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo. (2024). Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve). https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/cervical-radiculopathy-pinched-nerve/

Harvard Health Publishing. Publishing, H. H. (2021). Treating a pinched nerve. https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/treating-a-pinched-nerve

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2025). Pinched Nerve Definition. Retrieved from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/glossary-neurological-terms#-P-

National Health Service. Service, N. H. (2025). Exercises for neck problems. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/muscle-bone-and-joints/neck-and-back-problems-and-conditions/exercises-for-neck-problems