Pinched nerve on shoulder

definition

A pinched nerve in the shoulder means that surrounding tissue (usually hardened muscles) exerts pressure on a nerve, causing pain and possibly functional restrictions.
Most of the time, sudden, burning or stabbing pain occurs in the shoulder area. These are usually only one-sided and can radiate forward to the sternum. A herniated disc can cause similar symptoms, but this rarely occurs in the shoulder area, i.e. at the level of the thoracic spine. The most important thing you should do if you have a pinched nerve in your shoulder is movement.

causes

Muscular tension is a common cause of a pinched nerve in the shoulder. These press on the nerves and thereby trigger the symptoms.
The cause of this muscle tension, in turn, can be, among other things, one-sided strain or poor posture. Signs of wear and tear on the spine can also promote the development of pinched nerves or the corresponding symptoms. Furthermore, incorrect lifting or an unfavorable movement can lead to muscle tension and thus also to pinching of the nerves on the shoulder. Untrained back muscles also increase the risk of developing such complaints.
In general, a pinched nerve on the shoulder can be the result of both under- and overstressing. A healthy amount of exercise is therefore best suited to avoid pinching nerves. However, in many cases the cause of the symptoms remains unexplained.

Read more on this topic at:

• Shoulder pain
• Impingement syndrome

Pinched nerve from coughing

Frequent or violent coughing can pinch a nerve in the shoulder. The result is usually stabbing and movement-dependent pain that emanates from the back and can radiate forward. If there is pain in the ribs in the event of a severe infection with a strong cough, this may also have another cause.
In particular, if the pain occurs primarily when inhaling, it can also be pleurisy. If in doubt, you should see a doctor. If the pain is preventing you from breathing deeply, treatment with pain relievers should be given to keep the lungs free and prevent the inflammation from spreading.

These alternative diseases produce similar symptoms

Pain in the shoulder or shoulder blade usually comes from the back and has a harmless cause.
However, pleurisy can also cause comparable symptoms, which should be treated with an antibiotic if necessary. With such a disease, however, there are other complaints such as cough, fatigue and fever in addition to pain.
An extremely rare but also very dangerous cause of symptoms that can be comparable to those of a pinched nerve is a tear in the main artery (aortic dissection). This can occur with pronounced vascular disease. Extreme pain suddenly sets in, which is often felt between the shoulder blades.

Read more on this topic at: Symptoms of aortic dissection

treatment

When treating a pinched nerve on the shoulder or shoulder blade, the focus is on moving as much as possible. Under no circumstances should one adopt a relieving posture or even keep bed rest. As a result, there is only the risk that the causal muscle spasms will increase and the symptoms will even get worse or more persistent.
With a pinched nerve on the shoulder, there is a danger of a vicious circle. The pain prevents natural movement and forces you to relieve yourself, which in turn increases the pain. In order to break this circle, you should not hesitate to take pain reliever medication if necessary. If these are taken according to the instructions and only for a limited period of time, they rarely lead to side effects.
Patients with chronic underlying diseases of the stomach, kidneys or liver should have a doctor prescribe a suitable preparation for them. Therapy with the pain reliever enables a natural range of motion and the symptoms caused by a pinched nerve can be resolved again.
Additional helpful measures for treatment can be the application of heat with a red light lamp or a visit to the sauna. Massages and osteopathic treatments are also felt to be soothing by many patients. However, such passive measures should never be used as the only therapy for a pinched nerve on the shoulder. The most natural and regular active movement possible is always crucial.

Read more on this topic at: Shoulder muscle training

These exercises can help

In principle, all natural forms of movement are suitable for treating a pinched nerve on the shoulder or shoulder blade, as long as there is no overload. Nordic walking or swimming, for example, are well suited. In addition, there are a number of possible exercises that are particularly suitable for preventing the symptoms from recurring by strengthening the back muscles.

• One of the best ways to do this at home is to use Thera bands.
  These are elastic bands that can be used in many ways and are used to train a wide variety of muscle groups. If you suffer from a pinched nerve on your shoulder, you can, for example, stand in the middle of the band or kneel and wrap the free ends around your hands. Now move your arms straight up to the sides until they are about shoulder height and then lower them again. The exercises should be done slowly and in a controlled manner and repeated 15 to 20 times. You shouldn't work against the pain. If necessary, another exercise should be chosen.
• Anyone who suffers from frequent pain caused by pinched nerves on the shoulder should also take part in a professionally managed training program such as a back school. Such courses are offered in fitness studios, for example, and most of the costs are largely covered by health insurance companies.

You might also be interested in this topic: Exercises against muscle tension in impingement syndrome

Appointment with a shoulder specialist

I would be happy to advise you!

Who am I?
My name is Carmen Heinz. I am a specialist in orthopedics and trauma surgery in the specialist team of .

The shoulder joint is one of the most complicated joints in the human body.

The treatment of the shoulder (rotator cuff, impingement syndrome, calcified shoulder (tendinosis calcarea, biceps tendon, etc.) therefore requires a lot of experience.
I treat a wide variety of shoulder diseases in a conservative way.
The aim of any therapy is treatment with full recovery without surgery.
Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.

You can find me in:

• Lumedis - your orthopedic surgeon
  Kaiserstrasse 14
  60311 Frankfurt am Main

Directly to the online appointment arrangement
Unfortunately, it is currently only possible to make an appointment with private health insurers. I hope for your understanding!
You can find more information about myself at Carmen Heinz.

Which doctor can help?

In the case of complaints such as a pinched nerve on the shoulder, the family doctor is often the first point of contact.
It is a common symptom in a GP practice and a general practitioner can help most patients with it. In addition, the family doctor can use a physical examination to determine whether a referral to an orthopedic surgeon or further diagnostics, for example using an X-ray, makes sense. In the case of pronounced symptoms, it can be useful to consult a doctor who has advanced training in chiropractic or manual therapy.
In order to achieve long-term relief from the symptoms caused by a pinched nerve on the shoulder or to prevent recurrence, active measures such as regular exercise and strengthening the back muscles help above all.

Duration of complaints

The symptoms of a pinched nerve on the shoulder often set in suddenly after an awkward movement or after getting up. How long the symptoms last is different for everyone and depends on how you behave.
Anyone who moves as much as possible naturally - possibly with short-term use of painkillers - will be symptom-free again faster than someone who moves little and tries to protect the shoulder. If the symptoms last longer than a week and there is no sign of improvement, a doctor should be consulted if necessary.

Also read: Duration of a pinched nerve

These symptoms indicate a pinched nerve on the rib

Between the ribs, on the right and left sides of the body, a nerve runs from the spinal cord over the entire chest wall to the front of the sternum. Each of these nerves transmits signals such as touch or pain to the brain from the corresponding belt-shaped body areas. Incorrect movement or a muscular blockage can pinch one of the nerves on the rib. This can be recognized by the stabbing, usually shooting pain in the area that is supplied by the respective nerve.
Typically, the pain is particularly triggered by twisting the upper body. Usually only the left or right side of the body is affected. It is also typical for a pinched nerve on the shoulder that triggers the symptoms mentioned above that no symptoms other than those mentioned appear. However, if there is also a fever, general feeling of illness or shortness of breath, it may also be a serious clinical picture that should be treated if necessary. If there is a corresponding constellation, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. Symptoms that clearly indicate a pinched nerve on the rib, however, do not necessarily need to be clarified by a doctor. With as much exercise as possible and, if necessary, painkillers for a few days, the symptoms usually go away on their own.

Read more on this topic at:

• Pinched nerve in the spine
• Pinched nerve on the ribs

More pain of a pinched nerve on the shoulder

Painful breathing

A pinched nerve on the shoulder or scapula can cause pain, especially when breathing. Since the nerves run forward in pairs from the back to the chest wall, the pain is usually only localized on one side.
The painful nature of a pinched nerve is sharp and only lasts for a moment. However, if every breath causes pain and even breathing is hindered, there may be another cause behind the symptoms. In particular, if there is also a general feeling of illness, coughing and possibly fever, it may be a pleurisy instead of a pinched nerve on the shoulder blade, for example. If, on the other hand, the symptoms occurred after an injury or a fall, a broken rib may also be the cause. In the cases described, it is therefore advisable to be examined and treated by a doctor.

Read more on this topic at:

• Pain in the back when breathing
• Painful breathing

Back pain

The nerves on the shoulder and scapula originate from the spinal cord within the spine, so symptoms due to a pinched nerve are often associated with back pain.
The nerve can also be pinched directly on the vertebral bodies by tension in the musculature. Despite the sometimes severe symptoms and major restrictions, the causes are in most cases harmless and do not require special therapy. In the case of frequent back pain and complaints due to pinched nerves on the shoulders, regular physical activity and thus training the back muscles is the most important treatment measure.

Read more on this topic at:

• Causes of back pain
• Exercises for back pain

diagnosis

The diagnosis of a pinched nerve on the shoulder or scapula is based on the typical description of the symptoms and, if necessary, a medical physical examination.
The focus is primarily on ruling out other possible dangerous causes of the symptoms, such as a disease of the heart or lungs. If the conversation with the patient and specific questions (anamnesis) as well as the physical examination do not provide the doctor with any indications of an illness that requires treatment, the diagnosis of non-specific back pain can be made. The designation as a pinched nerve is only one possible explanation for the complaints.
There is no evidence of an entrapment, so that further diagnostics, for example using an X-ray or even magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), do not make sense in the vast majority of cases.