A pinched nerve in the shoulder occurs when something irritates or presses on a nerve coming from the neck. Here are some things you can do to relieve the pain:
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Rest: One helpful treatment for shoulder nerve pain is getting into a warm, cozy bed and having some rest.
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Hot or cold compress: You could also try a hot or cold compress on your shoulder as you watch TV or relax.
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Posture: Practicing good posture can help treat and even prevent the pain of a pinched nerve in your shoulder. Wearing an inexpensive posture corrector when you do things that require moving your shoulders could be a good idea.
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Medications: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medications can help relieve pain.
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Physical therapy: A physical or occupational therapist can recommend exercises and give advice on how to improve. Therapies and exercises like massage, yoga, and acupuncture may also help with your shoulder nerve pain.
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Surgery: If the above treatments no longer relieve pain, a doctor may recommend surgery.
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Epidural injections: A safe and easy way to provide instant relief to your pinched nerve is through epidural injections. In this procedure, an anesthetic and a steroid medication will be injected into the nerve area that is causing you pain.
It is important to see a medical professional if you suspect you have a pinched nerve and have pain in your shoulder. A doctor can usually identify the cause of a pinched nerve in the shoulder by taking a medical history, doing a physical exam, and requesting imaging studies.
