You use your shoulder for several activities throughout the day. You probably don’t pay it much mind until it is in pain; then you realize how important your shoulder is to most of your arm’s movements.
Shoulder pain varies depending on the cause. It’s normal to experience mild soreness after some physically demanding activity or sleeping in an awkward position all night. However, if you have a persistent, pinching sensation in the shoulder, you may have a pinched nerve.
Five typical pinched nerve in shoulder symptoms
What you perceive as a pinched nerve in the shoulder is actually related to a condition in the spine, particularly the cervical spine (the part of the spine that passes through your neck). Conditions that exert pressure on the nerves in your cervical spine can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and other symptoms to travel along the nerves and be experienced in the shoulder region.
Usually, these conditions are not life threatening but should be treated by a professional to help reduce pain and improve your range of motion.
Signs of a pinched nerve in the shoulder that indicate you may need to seek treatment include:
- A sharp pain as opposed to an achy pain that you normally experience after overworking your muscles.
- Pain when turning your head.
- Headaches that feel like they stem from the back of your head and neck.
- Tingling, numbness and weakness in the shoulder.
- Pain that spreads from the neck and shoulder down into the arm.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should visit a health care professional for an examination and, if necessary, treatment.
Visit Whatcom Physical Therapy for pinched nerve in the shoulder treatment
Are you struggling with shoulder pain that limits the use of your arm and even your neck? If you suspect you have a pinched nerve in your shoulder or are dealing with another condition that needs treatment, our physical therapists at Whatcom Physical Therapy can help.
We can examine your condition and develop a personalized treatment to help you manage your condition. Contact our team today for more information about pinched nerve in the shoulder treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.