PLEASE tell me how to un-trap a nerve!

[PickleStick]

Driving me mad. I have what I assume is a trapped nerve in my neck. It's causing a constant ache down my right arm with the odd bit of tingling. No painkiller is really touching it and although it's not excruciating, it's always there and I can't get comfortable so sleeping is an issue too

I am pretty certain it's a trapped nerve. I've had one before ages ago and also when I push my fingers into my chin - almost like making a double chin - I can feel the pain shoot down my arm

So... any ideas?

I don't tolerate codeine well but I'm taking a paracetamol / codeine mix and it's not working. Ibruprofen doesn't work. No heat rubs or sprays or cold works. Tens machine doesn't work.

So I've got to try and un-trap this nerve but how? Any advice welcome

Matthew Jackson shockwave therapy, Glastonbury minus the woo.

What on earth is that? A type of physio?

I found videos on YouTube and massaged myself using my knuckles. Sorted me right out!

A tennis ball! You can roll it on your back using the wall

Really helps

Really you should go to an osteopath they'll sort it out

Hold both arms straight out to the side - shoulder height.
Keep your arms straight and stretch through to your fingers, keep trying to stretch further - you should feel your fingers start to tingle keep going until you can stretch no more.
Then repeat.

I have one in my back, I can’t walk or stand, pain and pins and needles, sleeping is near impossible, pain killers and TENS machine not touching it. Been waiting for an MRI scan since December.

People have been telling me to see a chiropractor, so getting booked in to see one. I really hope it works, so sick of the pain, it’s been 3 months and not getting better.

Agree re tennis ball massage - find out about trigger point massage on YouTube. Works well after gentle heat.

Also, gentle heat and (one) big glass of wine works quite well too. Hope you find relief soon.

I untrapped mine by whacking my tens machine up high and sticking the pads on the most painful bit. Otherwise try a muscle roller.

We swear by trigger point massage. I'm hypermobile and often have muscle and joint issues. Spent this morning sorting out shoulder pain so bad it was burning, and it's eased right up.

Ok will try a few of these - thanks!

I've booked in with a physio tomorrow afternoon.

I don't think I've damaged it particularly - it's not an injury as such. I'm sure it's pinched somewhere but Christ the pain never goes!

Normal painkillers don't work on nerve pain

Usually trapped nerves are actually areas of muscle tension/knots that squeeze the nerves passing through them sending the shooting pain signals.

To address the pain you need to unknot the muscles. For me it's often inside my shoulder blades. As a pp said rolling on a tennis ball or spiky physio ball can really help. Or getting someone else to press the area firmly with their thumbs or elbow

Also hold a hot water bottle to the area/apply deep heat - this does two things - it confuses the nerves as they can't transmit warm and pain at the same time so they transmit warm and that reduces the pain signals your brain receives, also it increases blood supply to the muscles which helps the muscles to relax and reduces the knot

@Veterinari yep I'd agree with that - normal painkillers do nothing so that's how I know it's a nerve pain. I've (cough) borrowed someone's codeine and I'll take one before bed. I'm sure it won't kill me. I don't like pure codeine but I'd like to be comfortable and the paracetamol/codeine mix is too mild to do anything

@PerpendicularVincent I have a muscle thing! A plug in machine thing. That can come out later too

Definitely try it, I was in agony until I put the tens machine on it!

[quote PickleStick]@Veterinari yep I'd agree with that - normal painkillers do nothing so that's how I know it's a nerve pain. I've (cough) borrowed someone's codeine and I'll take one before bed. I'm sure it won't kill me. I don't like pure codeine but I'd like to be comfortable and the paracetamol/codeine mix is too mild to do anything [/quote]
Tbh if it's nerve pain codeine won't work but it may help with muscle relaxation/drowsiness enough to let you sleep - honestly warmth and massage can make a huge difference - try that

Massage usually for me. I get my DH to do it. With guidance on where he needs to press it helps relieve it a bit

Hope the physio works tomorrow, they can perform miracles! If you still need medication my DB swears by amitriptyline for his nerve pain but it's only available on prescription as far as I know.

Hot water bottle.

If the physio doesn't work try chiropractor.

Ok so I've taken 60mg of codeine and I'll make a hot water bottle shortly to put on it

I swear by this gadget
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N7O5SSM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_GGHKPN9X74ZNVKFY7HBW?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Do you have a small beanbag or wheat bag like those ones you put in the microwave?

If you do, when you go to bed fold or scrunch it and lay on the side the pain is on and wedge it between your neck and shoulder so it is applying pressure to the side of your neck. Try to relax your muscles and stay like that for a while. It hurts a bit at first but eases off quickly. I often sleep like that. When you get up stretch your neck. It might crack a bit and hopefully will feel better.

My husband is currently suffering with a trapped nerve in his neck.

Co codamol did nothing. GP gave him Amitriptaline which helps him to sleep and will have a cumulative effect over time for pain relief.

He had a heat collar https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electric-Shoulders-Cosi-Shoulder-Arthritis/dp/B08CDSPZWT/ref=mpssa113?dchild=1&keywords=neck+and+shoulder+heat+pad&qid=1613946937&sr=8-3
This really helps him in the evening when the paint is at its worst.

He saw the physio last week who did some deep tissue massage which REALLY helped. He is going to phone around tomorrow and see if he can get another session ASAP. He has exercises to do too.

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