In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about trapped shoulder nerves and the most effective ways to treat them, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.
A “trapped nerve” is a condition in which there is too much pressure on your nerve or its surroundings. The spine protects your central nervous system, ensuring the body’s overall stability. The trapped nerve in the shoulder or neck is nerve damage, caused by the surrounding bones, ligaments, or muscles. A pinched nerve in the shoulder originating from the neck is termed cervical radiculopathy. When a nerve is trapped, it can lead to discomfort and pain radiating into the arm, affecting daily activities. Common trapped nerve symptoms in arm include numbness, tingling, and weakness, which can significantly impact strength and coordination. It is essential to seek medical advice if these symptoms persist, as early intervention can help prevent further complications and promote healing.
Nerves are the sensors of your body to detect any sensations. Stiffness or inflammation of the tissue surrounding a nerve can result in various painful feelings. Trapped nerve pain ranges from localized muscle pain and stiffness to more widespread, long-term discomfort. Tendinitis, torn cartilage, joint problems, and other medical conditions can trap your nerves and cause shoulder pain. The trapped upper-spine nerve can cause shoulder pain as well as lower back pain.
If you develop bone spurs around your spinal discs, they can trap your nerve between your cervical vertebrae. The discs are located between the vertebrae and act as shock absorbers. Bone spurs result when the discs in the spine begin to degenerate with age.
In this article, you will get information on what a trapped nerve in the shoulder feels like and what you can do if you are suffering from this condition.
Trapped Nerve in Shoulder: Causes, Symptoms and Proven Treatments
A trapped nerve in the shoulder, also called cervical radiculopathy when originating in the neck, happens when bones, ligaments, or muscles put pressure on a nerve. This compression can cause pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning sensations that may spread from the neck to the shoulder blades, shoulders, arms, and hands. It can affect strength, coordination, and daily activities. Because other conditions may cause similar symptoms, accurate diagnosis is essential. Immediate medical evaluation is recommended after major trauma, such as a car accident. Common causes include herniated discs, bone spurs, and age-related changes in the cervical spine.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Shoulder Pain
- What Does a Trapped Nerve in the Shoulder Feel Like?
- Causes of a Trapped Nerve in Shoulder
- Risk Factors and Health Conditions
- Diagnosis
- Treatment Options for Trapped Nerve in Shoulder
- Prevention
- Case Study
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact ProHealth Clinic
- Author Bio
- References
Introduction to Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can disrupt daily life, making simple tasks difficult. One common cause is a pinched or trapped nerve. This occurs when a nerve root near the spine becomes compressed or irritated, producing pain, tingling, or numbness that can travel from the shoulder down the arm. Because nerves carry signals between the brain and muscles, pressure on them can lead to weakness and coordination problems. Understanding this type of pain is key to finding lasting relief.
What Does a Trapped Nerve in the Shoulder Feel Like?
- Sharp, aching, or radiating pain in the shoulder and upper arm
- Pain extending to the shoulder blades
- Numbness, tingling, or pins-and-needles sensations in the arm, hand, or fingers
- Restricted neck movement
- Reduced muscle strength on one side
- Symptoms aggravated by certain movements
- Possible burning sensations or persistent weakness
Causes of a Trapped Nerve in Shoulder
- Disc degeneration: Age-related wear can create bone spurs that compress nerves.
- Herniated disc: Spinal disc material can press on cervical nerves, leading to pain and weakness.
- Acute injury: Sports accidents or trauma causing swelling or misalignment in the spine.
- Poor posture: Long-term slouching or poor sleeping positions that increase pressure on nerves.
- Bone spurs: Growths from arthritis or other conditions that narrow nerve pathways.
Risk Factors and Health Conditions
Several factors increase the risk of developing a pinched nerve in the shoulder. Poor posture from prolonged sitting, repetitive overhead movements, and chronic strain from work or sports can all contribute. Conditions such as herniated discs, bone spurs, and cervical radiculopathy directly cause nerve compression. Recognising these risks allows for early intervention and prevention.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically includes a medical history, physical examination, and imaging or nerve tests:
- X-ray or CT scan: Identifies bone changes that may press on nerves (2).
- MRI: Detailed images of soft tissues, nerves, and blood vessels to pinpoint compression (3).
- Ultrasound: Assesses soft tissues during movement.
- Electrodiagnostic tests: Measures nerve function and detects damage.
Treatment Options for Trapped Nerve in Shoulder
Conservative Approaches
- Improving posture and workstation ergonomics
- NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen
- Gentle stretching and strengthening routines
- Hot and cold therapy
- Physiotherapy and targeted massage
- Short-term use of a soft cervical collar
These treatments may take several weeks before significant improvement is noticed.
Physical Therapy for Treatment
Physiotherapy helps relieve pain, restore movement, and prevent recurrence. Individualised exercise plans focus on strengthening the neck, correcting posture, and reducing nerve pressure. Over time, therapy can resolve muscle weakness and improve flexibility.
Relieve Pain with Exercise
Exercises such as chin tucks, shoulder rolls, and gentle stretches can ease nerve pressure. Combined with hot or cold compresses and anti-inflammatory medication, they help reduce symptoms. Always seek professional guidance before starting a new exercise program.
Prolotherapy
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat the root cause of trapped nerves in the shoulder. Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and regenerative benefits. Many structures that often trap shoulder nerves have a poor blood supply, so they struggle to heal properly on their own. Prolotherapy involves an injection of a natural regenerative solution with small needles superficially into the structures around the nerve to provide a direct supply of what is needed to repair them and release the trapped nerve.
As the treatment is helping to treat the root cause of the problem, it is deemed to be a permanent fix and also prevents trapped nerves from returning.
As the treatment is helping to treat the root cause of the problem, it is deemed to be a permanent fix and also prevents trapped nerves from returning.
Surgical Options
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF): Removal of a damaged disc followed by spinal fusion (5).
- Artificial disc replacement: Maintains motion while relieving pressure.
- Suprascapular nerve decompression: Releases a directly entrapped nerve.
Prevention
- Maintain correct posture
- Keep a healthy weight
- Stretch and strengthen regularly
- Support spinal health through ergonomic habits
- Avoid staying in one position for too long
- Limit repetitive strain activities
Case Study
Case: A 45-year-old office worker had persistent right shoulder pain, tingling in the hand, and reduced grip strength. MRI revealed a herniated C6-C7 disc compressing a nerve root. Conservative care, including posture correction and prolotherapy, was provided. After several weeks, symptoms improved by 90% and did not return at a 12-month check-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a trapped nerve in the shoulder heal on its own?
Sometimes, rest and lifestyle adjustments resolve symptoms within a few weeks. If symptoms persist or worsen, medical assessment is advised.
Is prolotherapy safe?
Yes, when performed by a qualified professional. It uses natural solutions and is minimally invasive.
When should I see a doctor?
Seek medical advice if you have ongoing pain, weakness, or numbness. Urgent care is needed if symptoms involve loss of bladder control or severe weakness.
Contact ProHealth Clinic
Do not let shoulder nerve pain control your life. Many patients have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.
Phone: +44 1234 380 345
Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk
Clinic Locations:
London: 104 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JD
Manchester: The Hadley Clinic, 64 Bridge Street, M3 3BN
Bedford: The Village Medical Centre, Kingswood Way, MK40 4GH
Author Bio
With more than 12 years of clinical experience and over 10,000 procedures performed, Oliver Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in treating trapped nerves in the shoulder. He trained in Prolotherapy and Prolozone Therapy with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy and has advanced qualifications from the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, Keele University, and Heidelberg University. His patients include Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
References
- Kamogawa J, et al. (2015). Virtual pathology of cervical radiculopathy. DOI link
- Abu-Naser SS, Almurshidi SH. (2016). A Knowledge-Based System for Neck Pain Diagnosis. Full text
- Middleton WD, et al. (2004). Sonography and MRI of the Shoulder. DOI link
- Steinmann SP, Moran EA. (2001). Axillary Nerve Injury: Diagnosis and Treatment. Abstract
- Epstein NE. (2019). A Review of Complication Rates for ACDF. DOI link
- Bahr R, Engebretsen L. (2009). Sports Injury Prevention. DOI link