Cervical Pinched Nerve in Manhattan, NY

A cervical pinched nerve refers to compression of a cervical nerve anywhere along its course. Typically patients refer to “pinching” when the nerve is compressed within the spinal canal or as it exits the neuroforamen of the spine. A nerve becomes pinched by surrounding tissues - such as bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons. Muscular dysfunction, poor posture, bony abnormalities and certain systemic diseases can all make a nerve more likely to be “pinched”.

There are eight (8) cervical nerve roots that exit the cervical spine on each side of our bodies. Each nerve root imparts sensory and motor information to a specific area of the upper extremities/torso and specific groups of muscles. Numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve can result from a nerve being pinched. The pain is often sharp or burning and may radiate outward. Coughing and/or sneezing increases spinal canal pressure and can worsen symptoms of a pinched nerve. These are a few of the common symptoms patients experience with a pinched nerve:

• Tingling, “pins and needles” sensations (paresthesia)
• Muscle weakness or twitching in the affected area
• Frequent feeling that a foot or hand has “fallen asleep”
• The problems related to a pinched nerve may be worse when you’re sleeping

Procedural treatment for cervical pinched nerves can include cortisone injections under live imaging guidance via an interlaminar approach to target the area of nerve compression. The location of the injection is decided by the distribution of symptoms and imaging findings. Ospina Medical also offers Regenexx regenerative medicine procedures including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet lysate (PL) injections that may be used to treat pinched nerves in the cervical spine. PL is derived by concentrating the healing factors in your blood and then reinjecting these cells near the irritated cervical nerves. This helps improve not just pain and function, but promote a healthy healing environment around inflamed nerves.

If you are interested in learning more about Regenexx and what treatment options are available, please call Ospina Medical in Midtown Manhattan to book your appointment today.

Can a pinched cervical nerve go away on its own?

Yes, a pinched cervical nerve can often resolve on its own within about 3 – 6 weeks. However, if the pain, numbness, tingling, and other symptoms persist, even with the use of over-the-counter pain relievers and rest, you may want to consider scheduling a medical exam.

What happens if a pinched nerve is left untreated?

If you have a pinched cervical nerve and leave it untreated, you may be at risk for further complications, like:

• Chronic pain
• A reduction in function and mobility
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Disc degeneration

Are treatments for a pinched cervical nerve painful?

At Ospina Medical, we offer a variety of nonsurgical injectable treatments for a pinched cervical nerve, including cortisone injections, PRP and PL therapy, and Regenexx regenerative medicine. Most of our patients don't find these treatments uncomfortable. Before we begin, we can apply an anesthetic to the treatment area to help keep you comfortable. All injections are live image-guided, meaning the treatment is delivered in the precise location for optimal results.