Nerve Compression/Nerve Damage

[bell1986]

Hey folks.

It's been a pretty sh*tty couple of weeks.

I woke a couple weeks back and noticed my neck/trap area was in pain. Me and my partner was leaving that morning for a weeks planned trip. The drive that day was painful but not excruciating. We arrived to the destination and I thought that I had nicked a muscle on the days prior lift. I've had many a small injuries over the years and always healed out of them.

Well after a couple days the pain became unbelievable. If I lay flat I could get relief. Thankfully I had this option. Hot water bottle. Painkillers/Anti inflammatorys and laying flat allowed me to have very little discomfort.

We had to plan to come back home. We cut the trip short. I needed a hospital. So we left for home.

I went to A&E when we got straight home. I explained to the receptionist about my issue. I got the usual quick check up and got told to wait. 5 hours later I'm still sitting and the pain was an 11/10. My partner went to the receptionist and pleaded with her. She just said 'We're busy' if you want seen I would try 4am in the morning. I had to come home and lay flat. I phoned my doctors in the morning and managed to get an emergency appointment that day. My doctor is great. She checked and she made me do certain movements and a strength test and she said.. You have nerve damage or a pinched nerve in the neck. My left arm is much weaker than prior.

She's just gave me prescription anti inflammatorys and pain relief. She just said sadly it's just rest and time. Nerves heal very slowly and are very painful.

I've had many a small injuries with training over the years. I'm sure we all have. The meathead mentality is 'I will be fine'

This time it's scared me. Messing around with nerve damage is dangerous. I'm also not 20 anymore and don't heal as well as I once did. I'm also a slow healer to begin with.

What should I do from here?

Should I persist with A&E and get an MRI?
Should I just rest up and let my body do it's work? It has improved but still very sore and impacting me poorly.

Going forward... Is my days of heavier lifting now gone? I need to think of the future here. I'm self employed and everyday off is a day of zero income.

Can I maintain my physique with minimal lifting and good nutrition and still sustain a good healthy life?

Is a physio or chiropractor worth the funds? If it helps a little then I'm happy to invest.

What about supplements wise? Should I add in a basic long term anti inflammatory like curcumin etc?

It's horrible to think that my gym days could be far less input but I honestly don't ever want to experience this pain and discomfort ever again. I would rather be fit and healthy now.

Anyone had something similar and got some advice?

Thanks

 

[botk1161]

I am a 58 yr old power lifter. I have had stuff like this over the years many times. It feels like the end, but its not. If I listened to those thoughts or my GP, I would have stopped all this at 30 yrs old. I am not saying don't listen to your GP, but am saying don't consider this to be the be all and end all of the situation.

I highly doubt you have nerve damage, but I suspect you have a nerve that is being impinged and is not firing at 100% (this is your weakness and your pain). Its like a garden hose that gets pinched. The water does not flow as fast, but when the pinch is removed, the water flows again. I see a chiro who knows lifters well once a week. The right adjustment gets rid of stuff like this immediately, but will take some time for the nerve to be fully restored. The affected nerves need to work through movements to get "smart" again (like 6 weeks). And you need to identify why it happened and take the necessary steps so it does not happen again. That could mean stop doing something that is pulling the neck out of alignment or mean make the area more bullet proof and less prone to having the nerve get pinched again (ie. face pulls / upper back work).

Again, I have had stuff like this over the years many times. It feels like the end, but its absolutely not. If I were you, I would find a chiro who adjusts lifters. I would ask the powerlifters at your gym. Otherwise, the impingement will probably work itself out over time (a few months?) following the GP's protocol. However, the longer its impinged, the dumber the nerve and movement pattern gets. This is something you want gone now so you can move on to rehabbing it instead of having it ruin your life. If chiro is not something you would consider, than I would do physio and or ART - again with someone known to work with lifters. I believe it’s important to take action and not wait. I would hold off on an MRI cause I think this won’t last very long - if you get at engaging chiro, physio to fix it. Especially if u have to pay for the MRI. All the best brother. Please keep us informed as to how you are doing. Even though it feels like hell, You will put this behind you shortly.

 

[ironviking]

Huge plus on finding an ART practitioner. And yea i agree this is a setback not a shutdown. Best of luck to you!

 

[ehunterg]

I had a similar issue, about 6 or so weeks was painful. Took 3-4 months to get back lifting. I treated with Chiropractor, heat pack, and alternated pain killers.

Good luck!

 

[bell1986]

I am a 58 yr old power lifter. I have had stuff like this over the years many times. It feels like the end, but its not. If I listened to those thoughts or my GP, I would have stopped all this at 30 yrs old. I am not saying don't listen to your GP, but am saying don't consider this to be the be all and end all of the situation.

I highly doubt you have nerve damage, but I suspect you have a nerve that is being impinged and is not firing at 100% (this is your weakness and your pain). Its like a garden hose that gets pinched. The water does not flow as fast, but when the pinch is removed, the water flows again. I see a chiro who knows lifters well once a week. The right adjustment gets rid of stuff like this immediately, but will take some time for the nerve to be fully restored. The affected nerves need to work through movements to get "smart" again (like 6 weeks). And you need to identify why it happened and take the necessary steps so it does not happen again. That could mean stop doing something that is pulling the neck out of alignment or mean make the area more bullet proof and less prone to having the nerve get pinched again (ie. face pulls / upper back work).

Again, I have had stuff like this over the years many times. It feels like the end, but its absolutely not. If I were you, I would find a chiro who adjusts lifters. I would ask the powerlifters at your gym. Otherwise, the impingement will probably work itself out over time (a few months?) following the GP's protocol. However, the longer its impinged, the dumber the nerve and movement pattern gets. This is something you want gone now so you can move on to rehabbing it instead of having it ruin your life. If chiro is not something you would consider, than I would do physio and or ART - again with someone known to work with lifters. All the best brother.

Hey.

Thanks for this that comment you left has gave me some hope.

Yeh it does feel like the end. I think intense pain really makes you sit back and assess your life more. Pain you wouldn't wish upon your worst enemy.

I started doing alot of cable crunches for abs over the last 4 months and I think I've been curving my neck and upper back too much and irritated my nerves in my neck. Also just pushing my body fairly hard over the last 6 months.

I noticed a few weeks ago that my left pec and left tricep was getting random nerve twitches. I just ignored this. I then started getting migraines and slight flashes in my eyes. I think this was the nerves getting 'irritated' and me continuing on it's just said f*ck you and fired up.

I've been searching for physios that are local. I've not a clue what to really look for tbh?

Earlier on today I spent an hour doing a variety of stretches and nerve glides. It's made a huge difference. I'm still in pain but more manageable. It's definitely allowed me more movement without such sharp intense pain firing.

Am I still safe to do some basic cardio? I have an indoor bike. Is it safe to get 30 minutes in each day?

I'm still getting really bad left pec and tricep nerve firing. My partner put their hand on my chest earlier and just said.... What the f*ck It was twitching like crazy. I actually read that the nerve firing will get worse as it's healing. They say that twitching/Heat/Tingling can be a good sign of it healing?

Once it heals up how would my training look from their? Slow good form light weights?

I'm on TRT so I think my body will hold onto the mass that I have if I keep my diet consistent. Theirs also muscle memory that I can regain after a lengthy healing period.

Think I should just get an MRI done also? Will this actually show exactly what's going on? This is all new to me. I've had injuries before but usually it's manageable discomfort and I'm back up and running in a few days. This is pain and an experience that's completely new to me. You actually stress out that this could be a common future issue.

I also think it's a good wake up call that I can't just continue to hammer my body and get away with it. You need to respect your limits. I also suspect the years of anabolic compounds + crazy diets hasn't helped. I ate pretty low fat for a long while. I don't do this anymore. I'm on TRT + eat a balanced diet.

Thanks again for the reassuring words. It really does mean alot and gave me hope.

 

[botk1161]

Hey.

Thanks for this that comment you left has gave me some hope.

Yeh it does feel like the end. I think intense pain really makes you sit back and assess your life more. Pain you wouldn't wish upon your worst enemy.

I started doing alot of cable crunches for abs over the last 4 months and I think I've been curving my neck and upper back too much and irritated my nerves in my neck. Also just pushing my body fairly hard over the last 6 months.

I noticed a few weeks ago that my left pec and left tricep was getting random nerve twitches. I just ignored this. I then started getting migraines and slight flashes in my eyes. I think this was the nerves getting 'irritated' and me continuing on it's just said f*ck you and fired up.

I've been searching for physios that are local. I've not a clue what to really look for tbh?

Earlier on today I spent an hour doing a variety of stretches and nerve glides. It's made a huge difference. I'm still in pain but more manageable. It's definitely allowed me more movement without such sharp intense pain firing.

Am I still safe to do some basic cardio? I have an indoor bike. Is it safe to get 30 minutes in each day?

I'm still getting really bad left pec and tricep nerve firing. My partner put their hand on my chest earlier and just said.... What the f*ck It was twitching like crazy. I actually read that the nerve firing will get worse as it's healing. They say that twitching/Heat/Tingling can be a good sign of it healing?

Once it heals up how would my training look from their? Slow good form light weights?

I'm on TRT so I think my body will hold onto the mass that I have if I keep my diet consistent. Theirs also muscle memory that I can regain after a lengthy healing period.

Think I should just get an MRI done also? Will this actually show exactly what's going on? This is all new to me. I've had injuries before but usually it's manageable discomfort and I'm back up and running in a few days. This is pain and an experience that's completely new to me. You actually stress out that this could be a common future issue.

I also think it's a good wake up call that I can't just continue to hammer my body and get away with it. You need to respect your limits. I also suspect the years of anabolic compounds + crazy diets hasn't helped. I ate pretty low fat for a long while. I don't do this anymore. I'm on TRT + eat a balanced diet.

Thanks again for the reassuring words. It really does mean alot and gave me hope.

-Glad your trying to identify the culprit. Don't do that **** no more!
-Your on the right track with the stretches and nerve glides.
-Start thinking of movements that would get neck, thorasic spine back in place (possibly face pull type movements with a light band).
-I would absolutely do cardio and slow form light weights.
-Regarding common future issue: If you identified what caused the issue (and I think you have / know what did it) and stop doing it, and do movements to get the neck area back "in place", there is no reason to have a future issue. Also your very aware of this going forward and will hyper watch for anything that may be pissing this off
-I think asking some folks at your gym could help you find a physio. Also reddit may help as well? However, you may not need one. From the sounds of your progress and wanting to train, I would give it a couple weeks and see where your at. You sound like your on the right path. I don't know how long you have to wait to get an MRI, but I suspect in a few weeks, the problem will be well on its way to being resolved. And nothing would show up anyways at that point. Personally, I would not entertain an MRI for a few weeks and only if I was not getting progress (like at least 50% better in two weeks).
-Ya we can't beat ourselves up like we are 20 yrs old. Definitely not for every body part all the time. However, as long as you listen to your body and id what you may be doing to piss it off, you will probably be able to perform volume at a pretty high level for quite a few years. I find focusing on conditioning first (ie ropes, sled pulling, lunges, step mill type stuff with almost zero rest a couple of times a week) allows me to lift very heavy weights and keep it together. However, when I put conditioning in 2nd or remove it for too long, I always end up getting injured.

 

[bell1986]

-Glad your trying to identify the culprit. Don't do that **** no more!
-Your on the right track with the stretches and nerve glides.
-Start thinking of movements that would get neck, thorasic spine back in place (possibly face pull type movements with a light band).
-I would absolutely do cardio and slow form light weights.
-Regarding common future issue: If you identified what caused the issue (and I think you have / know what did it) and stop doing it, and do movements to get the neck area back "in place", there is no reason to have a future issue. Also your very aware of this going forward and will hyper watch for anything that may be pissing this off
-I think asking some folks at your gym could help you find a physio. Also reddit may help as well? However, you may not need one. From the sounds of your progress and wanting to train, I would give it a couple weeks and see where your at. You sound like your on the right path. I don't know how long you have to wait to get an MRI, but I suspect in a few weeks, the problem will be well on its way to being resolved. And nothing would show up anyways at that point. Personally, I would not entertain an MRI for a few weeks and only if I was not getting progress (like at least 50% better in two weeks).
-Ya we can't beat ourselves up like we are 20 yrs old. Definitely not for every body part all the time. However, as long as you listen to your body and id what you may be doing to piss it off, you will probably be able to perform volume at a pretty high level for quite a few years. I find focusing on conditioning first (ie ropes, sled pulling, lunges, step mill type stuff with almost zero rest a couple of times a week) allows me to lift very heavy weights and keep it together. However, when I put conditioning in 2nd or remove it for too long, I always end up getting injured.

Morning

Yeh the nerve glides and stretches definitely made a huge improvement yesterday but...... I'm sore this morning. Sleep was a little broken with the pain.

My mum had throat cancer 3 years ago and got a huge operation on her neck. I remember her always talking about nerve damage and the pain she was in. I genuinely couldn't understand the pain she was actually in until this injury I've broke both arms twice. Left arm was a full 180 twisted break (My palm was facing the sky). Broke my elbow. Broke my nose. Tore my knee cartridge and got surgery to repair it and these were nothing in terms of pain to this My partner was like. Aw I'm sure it's not that bad. I just gave them the death stare lol

I will hold off the MRI for now. The doctor did say that he gets alot of phone calls from guys doing damage from years of lifting. The doctor is also into his fitness and knew his stuff. He thinks it's more an impingement of the nerve than a slipped disc etc.

What's the sort of healing time process? Is it weeks/months? Do trapped nerves actually fully heal? Should I still incorporate some mild exercise like cycling etc? I think I would lose my mind if I never exercised. Not doing workouts is killing me but I know that if I don't allow 100% healing I will just end up doing long term damage. I'm still trying to keep active in amongst the pain. I'm using prescription anti inflammatorys and paracetamol/tylenol. It helps but only a band aid.

Any decent supplements you swear by? I know their are tons that are touted as anti inflammatorys. Black seed oil seems to get a good rating. I do have a bottle their that would do no harm incorporating. I've also upped my EPA/DHA intake. I'm using cod liver oil + Mackerel. Anything else worth trying? I do have curcumin + piperine but honestly it makes me feel like trash for some weird reason.

Anyway thanks for the positive notes. Just hearing positivity is reassuring. Reading on reddit it feels like the end of your life. Their all just want pills and have zero interest in putting in some effort ie some mild physio etc.

Thank you

-Glad your trying to identify the culprit. Don't do that **** no more!
-Your on the right track with the stretches and nerve glides.
-Start thinking of movements that would get neck, thorasic spine back in place (possibly face pull type movements with a light band).
-I would absolutely do cardio and slow form light weights.
-Regarding common future issue: If you identified what caused the issue (and I think you have / know what did it) and stop doing it, and do movements to get the neck area back "in place", there is no reason to have a future issue. Also your very aware of this going forward and will hyper watch for anything that may be pissing this off
-I think asking some folks at your gym could help you find a physio. Also reddit may help as well? However, you may not need one. From the sounds of your progress and wanting to train, I would give it a couple weeks and see where your at. You sound like your on the right path. I don't know how long you have to wait to get an MRI, but I suspect in a few weeks, the problem will be well on its way to being resolved. And nothing would show up anyways at that point. Personally, I would not entertain an MRI for a few weeks and only if I was not getting progress (like at least 50% better in two weeks).
-Ya we can't beat ourselves up like we are 20 yrs old. Definitely not for every body part all the time. However, as long as you listen to your body and id what you may be doing to piss it off, you will probably be able to perform volume at a pretty high level for quite a few years. I find focusing on conditioning first (ie ropes, sled pulling, lunges, step mill type stuff with almost zero rest a couple of times a week) allows me to lift very heavy weights and keep it together. However, when I put conditioning in 2nd or remove it for too long, I always end up getting injured.

 

[botk1161]

What's the sort of healing time process? With the right chiro adjustment, the impingement is gone immediately and then you can move on too much more aggressive rehab and be back to normal (pressing and pulling strength) (I am guessing from what you have told me) in 2-3 weeks. The physio route or self do it route can happen pretty quick or never resolve or never resolve fully until you see a chiro. Allot of people go on for the rest of their lives with stuff that can be fixed with a quick adjustment. The longer you wait on an impingement, the worse the surrounding area and dumbing down of the movement pattern gets. Not to mention your mental state from not working out etc.. and the stress of waiting for possibly nothing to change or re-injury - which is probably the number 1 reason injuries linger. Again, I would seek a chiro. if your afraid of bone cracking, not all of them are bone crackers. There are chiro's that do Active Release Technique - which imo is a 100 x better option than any physio, massage, osteo etc. etc..

Do trapped nerves actually fully heal? imo the longer you have the impingement, the more likely it is to linger longer and not get to 100%. Free that sucker and have immediate 100% nerve flow and move on to working back up over 4-6 weeks. Simply avoiding the movement the caused it (which is what the chiro will reverse you out of).

Should I still incorporate some mild exercise like cycling etc? Yes and do light weight training - absolutely 100% you have to move through all these range of motions you normally do. Regular movements you are used too very often puts things back in place. Specific movements targeted to remove the impingement (ie. light banded face pulls with different grips would be a great thing to try imo, light cable front raise with palm up, very light pressing and pulling stuff with lots of control - all focused on the area and line of the impingement).

... if I don't allow 100% healing I will just end up doing long term damage? imo, rest for this injury is the absolute worst thing you can do - its the opposite of healing. The injury gets worse, scar tissue and ROM issues develop, we mentally go off a cliff and the movement patterns and nerves get dumber by the minute. The body goes into a cocoon. Resting and pills is GP Dr talk and is the absolute worst thing to do imo in this situation. imo you need lots of light normal movement coupled with specific movements and a chiro.

I'm using prescription anti inflammatorys and paracetamol/tylenol. It helps but only a band aid: imo I would stop taking inflammatory's and primarily use Ice and a combo of Advil / Tylenol (1/2 dose of each) only when needed - probably in evening in preparation for bed. Keeping moving (blood flow) is your anti inflammatory.

Any decent supplements you swear by: For injuries, no.

I have had numerous ruptures and surgeries over the years from living like Evil Kinevil in my younger days, car accidents and lifting accidents. No supplements I ever tried (and I am a supplement junkie) amounted to anything that helped more than maybe 5% for a short period of time. I always ended up needing to follow basically the stuff I mentioned above to get me through - not matter of the injury or surgery.

All the best brother.

 

[bell1986]

What's the sort of healing time process? With the right chiro adjustment, the impingement is gone immediately and then you can move on too much more aggressive rehab and be back to normal (pressing and pulling strength) (I am guessing from what you have told me) in 2-3 weeks. The physio route or self do it route can happen pretty quick or never resolve or never resolve fully until you see a chiro. Allot of people go on for the rest of their lives with stuff that can be fixed with a quick adjustment. The longer you wait on an impingement, the worse the surrounding area and dumbing down of the movement pattern gets. Not to mention your mental state from not working out etc.. and the stress of waiting for possibly nothing to change or re-injury - which is probably the number 1 reason injuries linger. Again, I would seek a chiro. if your afraid of bone cracking, not all of them are bone crackers. There are chiro's that do Active Release Technique - which imo is a 100 x better option than any physio, massage, osteo etc. etc..

Do trapped nerves actually fully heal? imo the longer you have the impingement, the more likely it is to linger longer and not get to 100%. Free that sucker and have immediate 100% nerve flow and move on to working back up over 4-6 weeks. Simply avoiding the movement the caused it (which is what the chiro will reverse you out of).

Should I still incorporate some mild exercise like cycling etc? Yes and do light weight training - absolutely 100% you have to move through all these range of motions you normally do. Regular movements you are used too very often puts things back in place. Specific movements targeted to remove the impingement (ie. light banded face pulls with different grips would be a great thing to try imo, light cable front raise with palm up, very light pressing and pulling stuff with lots of control - all focused on the area and line of the impingement).

... if I don't allow 100% healing I will just end up doing long term damage? imo, rest for this injury is the absolute worst thing you can do - its the opposite of healing. The injury gets worse, scar tissue and ROM issues develop, we mentally go off a cliff and the movement patterns and nerves get dumber by the minute. The body goes into a cocoon. Resting and pills is GP Dr talk and is the absolute worst thing to do imo in this situation. imo you need lots of light normal movement coupled with specific movements and a chiro.

I'm using prescription anti inflammatorys and paracetamol/tylenol. It helps but only a band aid: imo I would stop taking inflammatory's and primarily use Ice and a combo of Advil / Tylenol (1/2 dose of each) only when needed - probably in evening in preparation for bed. Keeping moving (blood flow) is your anti inflammatory.

Any decent supplements you swear by: For injuries, no.

I have had numerous ruptures and surgeries over the years from living like Evil Kinevil in my younger days, car accidents and lifting accidents. No supplements I ever tried (and I am a supplement junkie) amounted to anything that helped more than maybe 5% for a short period of time. I always ended up needing to follow basically the stuff I mentioned above to get me through - not matter of the injury or surgery.

All the best brother.

Thank you so much for all this information. Honestly it's giving me more motivation and some hope.

I have been doing some light exercises. Luckily I have a full gym at my home. I have a load of equipment and cardio machines. I got in a very light workout + 30 minutes of cardio. Apart from the healing process it's also my sanity. I know this is gonna be a slow ish process but healing is my #1 priority. The neck mobility exercises were absolutely bliss. I feel a huge difference after it all.

If I do book a chiropractor appointment. I could even go to one tomorrow. Will he/she accept me going in with an injury? Will I explain what's wrong and ask if they can focus on this? Will a chiro be able to knock this nerve impingement out? I'm a bit weary of going and getting messed up even more. Your more knowledgeable in this aspect. What would I actually ask them to do? Realign my neck/spine? Do I need a chiro specialised in nerve issues? Honestly I'm completely clueless and never been to a chiro. I was gonna go years ago but just kept making excuses.

I will ditch the anti inflammatorys. Anyway they seem to make me feel like total trash for some reason. I honestly feel much more relief from that light workout than 10 days of the anti inflammatorys.

Thanks again

 

[botk1161]

Will DM you.

 

[Dave520]

Years back, I had something similar. I was doing overhead press on the smith when I felt a "shift" in my neck. Thought nothing of it, kept working out fine. Next morning I had some major soreness but what really shocked me was that my left arm, specifically my tricep had virtually no strength in it. I couldnt even do a single pushup with my left arm. Turns out I had a pinched nerve in my c6 c7 due to a herniated disc from doing the over head press.

Best thing I could do, like you, was just wait and do decompression movements like wearing a neck brace that lifted my neck and allowed the tension off that area in my spine. I went to the chiro, and basically did the same thing.. not sure if it helped or not. It just took time. I wasnt at full strength in my left arm for well over a year, but I could still workout and do most everything else. Its just a pain in the butt, but it wont completely hold you back by any means.

 

[bell1986]

Years back, I had something similar. I was doing overhead press on the smith when I felt a "shift" in my neck. Thought nothing of it, kept working out fine. Next morning I had some major soreness but what really shocked me was that my left arm, specifically my tricep had virtually no strength in it. I couldnt even do a single pushup with my left arm. Turns out I had a pinched nerve in my c6 c7 due to a herniated disc from doing the over head press.

Best thing I could do, like you, was just wait and do decompression movements like wearing a neck brace that lifted my neck and allowed the tension off that area in my spine. I went to the chiro, and basically did the same thing.. not sure if it helped or not. It just took time. I wasnt at full strength in my left arm for well over a year, but I could still workout and do most everything else. Its just a pain in the butt, but it wont completely hold you back by any means.

Hey

This sounds exactly like me. My left tricep strength is very weak. I actually did a test doing a one armed cable tricep push down. The weight I was doing prior with this exercise has dropped by about 50-70% so it's a major strength loss. I can still do a couple push ups. I haven't lifted any weights on my left side now for nearly 4 weeks. It's actually crazy how much my left side has shrunk. Even my partner noticed it. I might start adding in some light work on that side. I'm just terrified that I go and cause the same injury. I honestly couldn't go back to that first 2 weeks. I could barely walk due to the pain. I lay around and that isn't me.

A year to regain all your strength? Damn. Did you add anything in that you think helped? I have a chiro appointment coming up. Do you think the chiro actually made improvements?

How did you discover you had slipped a disc? Did your doctor refer you to a hospital for an MRI?

Do you do anything different now since you recovered? Do you think that you fully recovered also? I've been off work now for 4 weeks. I have took 6 weeks off but I have a feeling that even at 6 weeks my body won't be able to do my job. I've lost my current contract (I'm self employed). I ain't to stressed though. I won't return until my body says so. I know that if I returned now that I would definitely never recover properly. Just gotta accept this.

Do you suggest any exercises I should definitely stop doing and any exercises I could maybe do just now that would help the issue?

Thanks

 

[Dave520]

I know a year sounds like forever, but you will be surprised how fast time flies, especially because you will slowly be making progress. It was roughly a year to get back to the same weights, but even then it was shaky and I probably wasnt fully back to my old self for about two years...I discovered it by doing research and demanding an MRI from my doc who swore it wasnt a disc...basically proved him wrong. You can basically figure out what nerve is compressed by which muscles are suffering from the sudden weaknesses.

I do recommend going to the chiro because they can do decompression for the cervical area of your spine to help alleviate the pain and possibly speed up recovery, depending on how badly the nerve is damaged... a severe impingement or something less serious.

I would recommmend anything that stretches your cervical spine, like holding yourself in the pullup position and letting your neck and back just stretch out, things like that help and alleviate the pain.

 

[bell1986]

I know a year sounds like forever, but you will be surprised how fast time flies, especially because you will slowly be making progress. It was roughly a year to get back to the same weights, but even then it was shaky and I probably wasnt fully back to my old self for about two years...I discovered it by doing research and demanding an MRI from my doc who swore it wasnt a disc...basically proved him wrong. You can basically figure out what nerve is compressed by which muscles are suffering from the sudden weaknesses.

I do recommend going to the chiro because they can do decompression for the cervical area of your spine to help alleviate the pain and possibly speed up recovery, depending on how badly the nerve is damaged... a severe impingement or something less serious.

I would recommmend anything that stretches your cervical spine, like holding yourself in the pullup position and letting your neck and back just stretch out, things like that help and alleviate the pain.

I'm in the UK and my doctor is also refusing an MRI. He says.. I'm sure it's just a nicked nerve. Apply cold to it and take anti inflammatorys. I said. I couldn't walk for 10 days surely a 'Nicked' nerve wouldn't give excruciating pain like that? He just said. At times it can.

Mines is 100% the C7 nerve. The pain radiates from my neck. Down the back of the tricep. Through my elbow into the back of my forearm and into my middle finger. The exact C7 pathway.

Yeh a year does sound alot but being honest. Part of me is sort of glad it's happened. I was honestly running my body into the ground. Working like a machine and pushing heavy weights 4-5 times a week. I'm also 40 next year so I'm not made of silicone anymore. Definitely alot more brittle. Once I'm healed up I will change up my training and just maintain my physique. I was always pushing for more mass. I'm on TRT also so it should help maintain the mass I do carry once I'm back hitting some weights.

Did you just stop lifting completely? I'm still doing resistance bands. I think what triggered mine was upright rows. I incorporated them again about 3 months ago. I noticed that I was getting random muscle twitches on my left side not long after starting them but just ignored it. The muscle twitching was probably the very start of the impingement. I just kept pushing and it's eventually gave in.

I'm still hitting the cardio. I do atleast an hour or two of hard cycling daily. I've also tweaked my diet more into a high fat/omega 3 setup. Seems to be better suited for the inflammation aspect.

Do you ever feel that part of your neck at all now? Do you go to a chiro every few months? I should have started a chiro a long time ago tbh.

Thanks again.

 

[akhimoe]

Hey folks.

It's been a pretty sh*tty couple of weeks.

I woke a couple weeks back and noticed my neck/trap area was in pain. Me and my partner was leaving that morning for a weeks planned trip. The drive that day was painful but not excruciating. We arrived to the destination and I thought that I had nicked a muscle on the days prior lift. I've had many a small injuries over the years and always healed out of them.

Well after a couple days the pain became unbelievable. If I lay flat I could get relief. Thankfully I had this option. Hot water bottle. Painkillers/Anti inflammatorys and laying flat allowed me to have very little discomfort.

We had to plan to come back home. We cut the trip short. I needed a hospital. So we left for home.

I went to A&E when we got straight home. I explained to the receptionist about my issue. I got the usual quick check up and got told to wait. 5 hours later I'm still sitting and the pain was an 11/10. My partner went to the receptionist and pleaded with her. She just said 'We're busy' if you want seen I would try 4am in the morning. I had to come home and lay flat. I phoned my doctors in the morning and managed to get an emergency appointment that day. My doctor is great. She checked and she made me do certain movements and a strength test and she said.. You have nerve damage or a pinched nerve in the neck. My left arm is much weaker than prior.

She's just gave me prescription anti inflammatorys and pain relief. She just said sadly it's just rest and time. Nerves heal very slowly and are very painful.

I've had many a small injuries with training over the years. I'm sure we all have. The meathead mentality is 'I will be fine'

This time it's scared me. Messing around with nerve damage is dangerous. I'm also not 20 anymore and don't heal as well as I once did. I'm also a slow healer to begin with.

What should I do from here?

Should I persist with A&E and get an MRI?
Should I just rest up and let my body do it's work? It has improved but still very sore and impacting me poorly.

Going forward... Is my days of heavier lifting now gone? I need to think of the future here. I'm self employed and everyday off is a day of zero income.

Can I maintain my physique with minimal lifting and good nutrition and still sustain a good healthy life?

Is a physio or chiropractor worth the funds? If it helps a little then I'm happy to invest.

What about supplements wise? Should I add in a basic long term anti inflammatory like curcumin etc?

It's horrible to think that my gym days could be far less input but I honestly don't ever want to experience this pain and discomfort ever again. I would rather be fit and healthy now.

Anyone had something similar and got some advice?

Thanks

I had and the same thing back in September 2025 started with a stiff neck then it went down to my left arm was so painful I went to a chiropractor he didn’t even touch it because I was in severe pain told me I need to go A&E same as you got it checked they said the done and did the same thing.

Also to add I did heat patches and all sorts and gave me Amitriptyline sent me home.

Also suddenly my thumb became numb around November and it’s like pins and needles and still hasn’t gone yet.

I just did some physio and wet cupping to relieve pressure from traps that helps.