Pinched nerves?
- Thread starter Ambros
- Start date
You might want to PM Colonel Holman... he's REALLY helpful (thanks, Colonel!)
Otherwise.. the standard of care is ice, rest and anti-inflammatories. The question is... where is the problem? It MAY not be anywhere near where the actual pain is. Hard to say if this is your neck/spinal nerves or in the shoulder, or maybe the radial nerve? If you can pinpoint where it's being "pinched", ice that spot...
One herb that might be worth trying is St Johnswort. While it's best known as a mild antidepressant, it's also useful for nerve pain. Be aware that it can cause sun sensitivity, and use sunscreen when outdoors while taking it.
Also... look into "trigger point therapy" or "pressure point therapy"... (also called "acupressure") It WORKS. There is a book called "Pain Erasure" by Bonnie Prudden, which is an excellent primer. Basically, you look for (by pressing on the body in the problem area, one inch at a time) "tender points". These can be REALLY tender... I've got fibromylagia, and they can be so bad that I have a hard time not screaming when hubby works on them. When you find one (you'll know it!), press as firmly as you can stand, and hold it for 10 seconds. Release, and stretch the muscle group involved. Then look for another one. (don't go BACK to the same ones during the session... it's uncomfortable and doesn't help anyway)
These are tiny microspasms in the muscles. If they go into spasm and stay, they can eventually actually calcify, and cause a permanent "knot". The trigger point therapy breaks the spasm loose, and then the stretching you do (we don't stretch after every point... usually I just do a major stretch session after we've done them all) keeps it from going back into spasm.
Some can be released permanently. Many- those which are in the area of a major injury- often need periodic work for life. But it can really help and provide amazing relief...
Summerthyme
Otherwise.. the standard of care is ice, rest and anti-inflammatories. The question is... where is the problem? It MAY not be anywhere near where the actual pain is. Hard to say if this is your neck/spinal nerves or in the shoulder, or maybe the radial nerve? If you can pinpoint where it's being "pinched", ice that spot...
One herb that might be worth trying is St Johnswort. While it's best known as a mild antidepressant, it's also useful for nerve pain. Be aware that it can cause sun sensitivity, and use sunscreen when outdoors while taking it.
Also... look into "trigger point therapy" or "pressure point therapy"... (also called "acupressure") It WORKS. There is a book called "Pain Erasure" by Bonnie Prudden, which is an excellent primer. Basically, you look for (by pressing on the body in the problem area, one inch at a time) "tender points". These can be REALLY tender... I've got fibromylagia, and they can be so bad that I have a hard time not screaming when hubby works on them. When you find one (you'll know it!), press as firmly as you can stand, and hold it for 10 seconds. Release, and stretch the muscle group involved. Then look for another one. (don't go BACK to the same ones during the session... it's uncomfortable and doesn't help anyway)
These are tiny microspasms in the muscles. If they go into spasm and stay, they can eventually actually calcify, and cause a permanent "knot". The trigger point therapy breaks the spasm loose, and then the stretching you do (we don't stretch after every point... usually I just do a major stretch session after we've done them all) keeps it from going back into spasm.
Some can be released permanently. Many- those which are in the area of a major injury- often need periodic work for life. But it can really help and provide amazing relief...
Summerthyme
colonel holman
Veteran Member
if unable to straighten arm at elbow with arm held at side of body, places a stretch to the median and radial nerves. these nerves normally slide easily through the tissues during arm motions. but if burning pain with straightening arm at side then nerve likely being pinched by disc bulge or bone spur at neck at the root of these nerves. if pain runs to first three fingers, it is the median nerve. if to the back of the hand, it is the radial nerve. but entire hand may hurt depending on how your nerves are laid out (varies some among individuals). usually a disc bulge at C5-6. these will usually resolve themselves over a week or three. some will not resolve and need surgery....BUT... that surgery has been perfected to the point where it is (relatively speaking) a piece of cake (1/2 inch incision in front of neck where the disc is very close to surface). day surgery, easy, minimally invasive.
a steady does of anti-inflammatories is starting point... then a prednisone pack over four days is next step (usually very effective at shrinking down inflamed disc and nerve tissues)... then MRI if these do not help to identify whatever nasties are dong it to you.
summertyme is the best alternative med resource here, by the way. she gives safe and worthy advice
a steady does of anti-inflammatories is starting point... then a prednisone pack over four days is next step (usually very effective at shrinking down inflamed disc and nerve tissues)... then MRI if these do not help to identify whatever nasties are dong it to you.
summertyme is the best alternative med resource here, by the way. she gives safe and worthy advice
Yeah the pain I'm having has subsided a bit but it comes and goes. The pain was actually not in my arm but my side near one of my ribs. It doesn't seem to matter whether or not the arm is bent or straight, whether i'm standing, sitting, or laying. I'm done for the most part with the hard part of my work for the summer(constantly lifting heavy crap) and that seems to have helped it start healing itself. I'll update if it doesn't clear itself up.
colonel holman
Veteran Member
More, better information now.
Any rash or skin bumps inthe pain region? If so, could be shingles!
Otherwise, I often see a rib shift in its joint where it attaches to spine, causing pain anywhere along the length of that rib. A good PT who knows how to manipulate ribs can clear that up immediately in one session.