What is a pinched, compressed or entrapped nerve and how can it cause shoulder pain? These terms are synonymous and mean the same thing, the nerve is being compressed or irritated by the tissues surrounding the nerve. This pressure can come from bones, muscles or cartilage. The nerves in your arm starts in your neck and travels all the way down to your fingers. Due to the close relationship between the neck and the shoulder, pain in the shoulder can originate from an issue in the cervical spine and results in pain and weakness. The shoulder nerve compression can cause pain, tingling and numbness anywhere from the shoulder region down to the finger tips.
Causes of a pinched nerve and shoulder pain:
The pinched nerve in your neck could be caused from a spinal nerve in the neck. In the cervical spine, the source could be a bone spur, a herniated disc, previous injuries, or cervical radiculopathy. All of these conditions put pressure on the nerve root as it exits the spine. This pressure can lead the nerve to be inflamed, irritated, and in pain. The nerve in the shoulder may also be the source of your pain. Previous or current shoulder injuries such as fractures or dislocations can lead to shoulder nerve inflammation or compression. Repetitive overhead movements and poor posture can also potentially cause a pinched nerve, especially when combined with muscle strain or tension. For these types of injuries, early diagnosis is key for recovery. If the cause of the pain is not being addressed, simply resting will not make it better or make the pain go away. The root of the problem needs to be diagnosed and addressed to avoid complications such as muscle atrophy or, in the case of nerve damage, reversal is limited. Seeking professional advice and following prescribed treatment can improve outcomes.
Signs and symptoms of a pinched nerve:
A pinched nerve in the neck and shoulder can present is different ways. Where nerve entrapment of the neck can lead to sharp, shooting electric pain, the pain from the shoulder joint will be more of a dull aching pain and may be hard to pinpoint an exact location, it may even radiate down the arm. There can also be symptoms down the arm and in the hand, such as numbness, tingling or weakness. Sudden weakness in the hand or arm, or having difficulties with certain movements can be key indicators of a pinched nerve in your shoulder. If you find yourself suddenly dropping objects, it can be a sign of cervical nerve involvement. Some symptoms in the shoulder area or around the neck may become worse with a specific movement. Other signs and symptoms include decrease range of movement, difficulty sleeping, loss of dexterity, stiffness in the arm or shoulder and headaches.
Treatment options and diagnosing shoulder pain for a pinched nerve in the shoulder:
The treatment choices vary widely for an entrapped nerve as there are different ways to cause a pinched nerve. Conservative methods such as rest, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory pain relievers can all provide symptom relief. However, rest needs to be coupled with avoiding the activities that manifest symptoms. Pain medication is another solution that can help with pain relief without providing any solutions, this can lead an overall reduction in pain. A Physiotherapist can help to relieve the symptoms and solve the underlying issues causing the pain. Physiotherapy can improve joint mobility, strengthen muscles, provide pain free adaptation to movements and reduce the pressure on the nerve. Improving strength and mobility around the compressed nerve can help reduce symptoms. Other more advanced treatments include an injection or surgery; however, they are more invasive. A saline solution is injected near the affected nerve and only the most severe cases require surgery, in which the affected nerve will be decompressed.
When to seek professional help for a pinched shoulder nerve:
It is critically important if you are experiencing severe pain, numbness or weakness for more than a few consecutive days you should immediately seek medical attention from a healthcare professional. A physical exam can be used to diagnose a pinched shoulder nerve. If the symptoms of a pinched nerve do not require immediate medical attention a physiotherapist can perform a physical exam and determine the causes of a pinched nerve. If the conservative methods of treatment are unsuccessful and do not help to relieve pain, your physical therapist may suggest more invasive treatment and your family doctor may recommend surgery or an injection.
Summary of shoulder nerve pain:
A pinched nerve and shoulder pain can occur when surrounding tissues, such as bones, muscles, or cartilage, compress or irritate a nerve, causing pain, tingling, or numbness from the neck to the fingertips. Common causes include cervical spine issues like bone spurs, herniated discs, injuries, or poor posture. Symptoms range from sharp, shooting pain to dull aches, weakness, limited movement or numbness in the hand. Treatment includes rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications, with advanced options like injections or surgery for severe cases. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen, as early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing long-term complications like nerve damage.
