There’s nothing quite as annoying as a pinched nerve in your neck. In fact, the condition is so synonymous with unnecessary discomfort that the phrase “a pain in the neck” now means something annoying. Yet, you don’t have to suffer a pinched nerve any longer than you can take. Using a massage gun can quickly break up the tension and free your neck and shoulders from the pain.
Using a massage gun on a pinched nerve in your neck can quickly resolve the problem. Massage guns work by using a percussive massage technique to deliver rapid bursts of pressure into the muscles. This pressure can help to loosen tight muscles, break up knots, and increase blood flow and circulation.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what causes a pinched nerve in your neck and how using a massage gun can help reduce the pain. By following the advice in this guide, you can quickly fix a painful crick in your neck and get back to living your day free from suffering.
Can a massage gun help with a herniated disc? Click here to learn more.
What is a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve is a condition that occurs when there is excessive pressure on a nerve. This pressure can cause the nerve to become irritated, inflamed, and even damaged. Pinched nerves can occur anywhere in the body, but they are most common in the neck, shoulders, and lower back.
- Although the initial pain of a pinched nerve is usually limited to a single area, it can soon spread throughout your back, shoulders, and into your face, leading to symptoms such as:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness
- Muscle spasms
If left for too long, the pain can become debilitating and make it harder to move the rest of your body. Therefore, it’s important to quickly massage a pinched nerve to release tension and restore proper circulation to the area.
What Causes a Pinched Nerve in Your Neck?
The neck is a vulnerable area of the body because it’s constantly in motion. Whether you’re looking down at your phone, turning your head to check for oncoming traffic, or simply nodding off to sleep, your neck is always moving.
- This constant motion can lead to the following neck problems that relate to pinched nerves and cause additional pain:
- Herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Bone spurs
- Muscle strain
- Whiplash
All of these neck problems can cause the vertebrae in your spine to compress the nerves running through the area. This compression can cause the nerves to become irritated and inflamed, leading to further pain.
Click here to read about using a massage gun for arthritis.
Is a Pinched Nerve the Same as a Crick in Your Neck?
A crick in your neck is a common type of neck pain caused by sleeping in awkward positions or holding your neck unnaturally for too long. Cricks are usually not as severe as pinched nerves and often go away on their own after a few days. However, if the pain persists or gets worse, it could be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a pinched nerve.
Just as you can use a massage gun to work out a pinched nerve, you can use the same technique to loosen up a crick in your neck. If anything, it’s best to do so before the crick turns into a full-blown pinched nerve.
How Can a Massage Gun Help with a Pinched Nerve?
A massage gun can help to release the tension in your neck and reduce the pain of a pinched nerve. Massage guns use a percussive massage technique that delivers rapid bursts of pressure into your muscles. This pressure can help to loosen tight muscles, break up knots, and increase blood flow and circulation.
When used on a pinched nerve, a massage gun can help to release the tension and restore proper circulation to the area. This can quickly reduce the pain and help you to move your neck freely again. To use a massage gun on a pinched nerve, simply hold the gun against your skin and move it around the area until you find a tender spot.
Once you’ve found a tender spot, hold the gun against the skin and apply pressure. You should feel the muscle loosen and the pain start to subside. If you don’t have a massage gun, you can also use a tennis ball or foam roller to massage the area. Simply place the ball or roller against your skin and apply pressure.
You may need to experiment with different sizes and firmness to find a ball or roller that feels good on your neck. Additionally, you can position the ball between your neck and a wall. When you lean into the ball, roll it between your neck and shoulders to get more leverage and apply more pressure.
Want to know how the various massage attachments work? Click here to learn more.
How Much Does a Massage Gun Cost?
Massage guns range in price from $40 to $200, depending on the brand, features, and quality. If you’re looking for a basic massage gun, you can find one well within most budgets, however, if you want a more advanced massage gun with additional features, such as different speed settings, you can expect to pay several hundred dollars.
No matter how much you spend on a massage gun, it’s important to choose a quality product that will last. Cheap massage guns can break easily and may not provide the same level of relief as a more expensive model. Therefore, it’s best to choose a massage gun that’s made by a reputable company and backed by a warranty.
My Pick for the Best Massage Gun
When choosing a massage gun, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Price – Although some models are relatively inexpensive, you’ll get what you pay for so don’t skimp on quality.
- Features – Some massage guns are simple and only offer one speed, while others are more advanced and offer multiple speed settings and attachments. It’s important to choose a massage gun with features that meet your needs.
- Quality – Quality is also an important consideration because you want a massage gun that’s built to last. Cheap massage guns can break easily and may not provide the same level of relief as a more expensive model.
- Brand – Brand is an important consideration because you want to choose a massage gun that’s made by a reputable company. Reputable companies usually offer better quality products that are backed by stringent product testing and research.
- Warranty – Always guarantee that your massage gun is backed by a warranty. If it breaks due to factory defects, you can get a replacement or a refund without having to pay more.
FAQ
As long as you use a massage gun as prescribed it will not cause any nerve damage. Overuse of any device for a long enough duration can cause damage so use it within the guidelines
Applying gentle pressure on the affected area can help reduce pain. Massage of the skin may be inconvenient because it may cause more pain as it will increase blood flow to the impacted area.
Pinched nerves may cause severe pain. Occasionally it is unbearable to others. A massage gun could help relieve your pain. Massage gun provides percussive therapy which relieves muscles knots and nerve damage which can cause pinched nerves.
3 responses to “Can you use a Massage Gun on a Pinched Nerve?”
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[…] massage gun will also help desensitize the area around your pinched nerve. This will help reduce the amount of pain you feel and relieve some of the pressure that is on your […]
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