how can I tell if I have pinched nerve in my neck or a pulled muscle?
80967
You need to go to your doctor and he will order a MRI if he feels it is needed.
896884
Sounds like you could have sciatica; although a pinched nerve which isn't related to the sciatic nerve isn't out of the question.  You could have some foot issues, although from what you have said, it is unclear if that is really the cause.  Do yourself a favor and go and see a doctor to get clarification.
475982
some people are going to get all panicky and tell you it's a heart attack but it could very likely be a pinched nerve. i would make an appointment with your doctor and explain your symptoms and severity and they may recommend doing more tests to make sure it's not your heart and they can also do more testing to see if it's a pinched nerve.
1072646
Its a pinched nerve. use cold pompresses, and pain killers for the first few days, then try heat, If it continuse more than a few days, go to the doctor.
243040
Go to the doctor. Your back and neck are too important to neglect. That's where all your nerves originate. You may have a slipped disk in your neck, and that could pinch a nerve. Don't bother with chiropractors. My friend's mother had back pain for a year, and she kept going to the chiropractor. When she finally went to a doctor, she found out that she had spinal cancer.
703308
It really depends on what is the cause of the pinching.  It may be muscular, but is also may be discogenic.  Proper exercises differ depending on the cause of your symptoms. I would not advise doing any exercises recommended from the web until you are seen by a physician and diagnosed.  General rule of thumb: if it increases pain, numbness and tingling (especially in the thigh or leg) don't do it.  Try resting and heat/ice for the pain.  And go see your physician.
652898
It could be that you need potassium... Eat Bananas and drink OJ or take some over the counter Potassium pills to see if this helps.. if not.. see your doctor.. it could be a pinched nerve.. Good Luck :)
920835
I know that there are some blood tests to rule out some reasons for joint pain.  If they have been ruled out, you need to talk to your doctor about other possible causes.  \n\nOne might be a problem in your cervical and lumbar spine.  Its also possible that you have a condition called fibromyalgia.  Arthritis comes to mind as well.  \n\nA pinched nerve can cause a lot of the symptoms your having.  See your doctor.  If he doesn't do anything, get another doctor.  Good luck.
709132
You might have pinched a nerve when you fell, why not go to a doctor and have it checked out. X-rays may be required to determine the cause. You should not be experiencing pain after this length of time and the fact that it is worsening isn't encouraging.
301436
try to exercise.  Maybe you've pulled a muscle or strained one without realizing it.  Just walking should work out any problems.
503233
It does sound like your back. Typically a pinched nerve in the mid thoracic area will affect an organ or nerve ending creating some pain. I would first get some deep tissue massage done on that area and see if it relieves some of your discomfort. Sometimes an imbalance in muscles will pinch those nerves in the spine. If it doesn't relieve it I would get a different opinion to find out what is going on.
228734
You might want to consider chiropractic treatment. Your pain may be caused by a pinched nerve in your upper spine. If you have never been to a chiropractor, one thing you should know is that it is less expensive and painful than seeing a medical doctor.
851897
You might have sprained or pulled the muscle. A nice massage might help.
702632
Have you done new or extreme exercises?  Perhaps you pulled a muscle in your neck?  You can try www.webmd.com  You can look up symptoms and possible home treatments.  If you're in extreme pain, I would see your Dr. right away.
178212
It sounds like you might have a pinched nerve or poor circulation. If it doesn't get better definitly seek medical attention.
1052136
Hi Kim, with neck problems the list can go on and on.  If you have neck problems it can be something as simple as a pulled muscle to something more complex like a swollen thyroid gland.  \n\nSeeing a proper doctor can help you fix your medical ailments.  If you feel a slight burning sensation in your arm or finger tips whenever you move your neck, it is probably a pinched nerve.  It's no big deal, it can happen sometimes when a muscle knots up in your neck or upper back and it may be unpleasant but will go away in a day or two.  If you've had it for a couple of months, your doctor may ask you to have surgery to fix it.  \n\nMost commonly your doctor (IF the pain is severe enough) will prescribe to you a light muscle relaxer or suggest you take Aleve or extra strength Tylenol to relieve the pain.\n\nIf you feel like you can only move your neck to one side, you probably have a really wicked cramp that needs to be worked out.  If you cannot go to a massage therapist, I recommend doing the following:  Sit in a tub of warm water as hot as you can stand it for as long as you can stand it (obviously not so hot it can burn you and not too hot if you have heart problems, are taking blood thinners or have a pacemaker) and slowly work your neck starting with your chin turned to your shoulder and then touching your chest and then over to your other shoulder.  Do that a few times and step out and it should help.  NEVER do full circles with your neck as you can do permanent nerve/spinal damage with this.  \n\nAlternating hot packs/cold packs for 15 min at a time can help loosen the muscle group.  Inbetween switching, just make sure to stretch your neck out a bit each time.  \n\nYou can also take a tennis ball and hold it between your upper back and a wall and roll it across your back that way (or have someone else roll it for you) and slowly massage your neck with it.  The tennis ball is hard enough to work out your muscles, but soft enough to not hurt you.\n\nI recommend a good family practitioner if you need to see a doctor.  You can also see a Chiropractor (M.D. with extra musculo-skeletal training) an Osteopathic Doctor (a doctor who uses a full body approach to healing and who also uses the same chiropractic movements), an Ear Nose and Throat specialist, (Otolaryngology Doctor), they can help you determine if it's something more serious than a muscle glitch, however they usually require a referral from your primary care doc.  You can also see a physical therapist who can prescribe certain exercises for you to do.  Massage therapists also work well for that (massage school students often charge less for massages and are always observed by an instructor).\n\nIf it is a simple sprain, you can also learn simple stretching exercises that can help you avoid the injury in the future.  \n\nI also want to add that you may need a new pillow or a new mattress.  If you are not getting proper spinal alignment while you sleep, your neck can start to hurt from the weight of an improperly positioned support system.\n\nIt's also possible you may need new shoes.  When you are not getting proper support for your feet, you can have all sorts of alignment problems in your body and before you know it, you hurt all over.  If you can't afford new shoes, try getting arch support or memory foam inserts for your feet.  You can also see an Orthopedic Doctor (skeletal doctor) or a Podiatrist (foot doctor) for that.  If your injury is related to sports a Sports Medicine Doctor (who usually has training in all of the above) can help you out also.\n\nI hope this helps you and that your road to healing comes as painlessly as possible.  Good luck!
1139494
numbness usually comes from a pinched nerve