Pinched Neck Nerve Treatment New Jersey

Neck Pain That Travels Into Your Shoulder, Arm, or Hand?

It often starts with neck pain or stiffness. Then the pain begins traveling into your shoulder, arm, or even your fingers. Some people describe it as burning or electric. Others notice numbness, tingling, or weakness that makes it difficult to grip objects or perform everyday tasks.

These symptoms are often caused by a pinched nerve in the neck, a condition known medically as cervical radiculopathy.

The good news is that most patients improve without surgery when the problem is diagnosed early and treated appropriately.

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Todd Koppel has helped patients throughout New Jersey find relief from pinched nerves in the neck using personalized, minimally invasive treatment options designed to reduce pain, restore function, and help many patients avoid surgery.

What Is Cervical Radiculopathy?

Cervical radiculopathy occurs when one of the nerves leaving the cervical spine becomes irritated or compressed.

Because these nerves travel into the shoulder, arm, and hand, symptoms are often felt far beyond the neck itself.

The location of your symptoms frequently helps identify which nerve is involved.

Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve

Symptoms may include:

• Neck pain
• Pain radiating into the shoulder
• Arm pain
• Burning or electric shock like pain
• Numbness or tingling
• Weakness in the arm or hand
• Difficulty gripping objects
• Pain that worsens when turning or extending the neck

Some patients experience only pain, while others notice weakness or loss of sensation.

Causes a Pinched Nerve in the Neck

Several conditions can place pressure on a cervical nerve.

Herniated Disc

A cervical herniated disc may press directly against a spinal nerve, producing pain that radiates into the arm.

Bone Spurs and Arthritis

As arthritis develops, bone spurs may narrow the openings where spinal nerves exit the neck.

Cervical Spinal Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve openings may compress cervical nerves.

Is It a Neck or Shoulder Problem?

This is one of the most common questions Dr. Koppel hears, and for good reason, since both can cause surprisingly similar symptoms. Here’s a useful distinction:

If pain and symptoms travel from the neck down into the arm, especially with numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand or fingers, the problem is more likely in the cervical spine. Shoulder conditions tend to produce pain concentrated in the shoulder joint itself, particularly with specific movements like reaching overhead.

An MRI helps determine the problem, but only with a comprehensive evaluation and physical examination can the problem be determined. Dr. Koppel doesn’t guess at a diagnosis. He confirms it.

Will a Pinched Nerve Heal on Its Own?

Some mild cases improve over time.

However, persistent pain, numbness, or muscle weakness should be evaluated promptly.

Early treatment may reduce inflammation, improve recovery, and decrease the risk of long term nerve irritation.

Treatment Options

Cervical Injection Therapy

A targeted cervical injection places anti-inflammatory medication directly around the compressed nerve root using imaging guidance. For many patients, this single treatment provides significant, lasting relief. Done in the office in about 15 minutes.

Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection

A cervical steroid injection delivers medication into the epidural space surrounding the nerve roots in the neck, targeting inflammation at the source rather than masking the pain.

Selective Nerve Root Injection places medication precisely at the nerve which is believed to be involved. This both helps diagnose the problem, but also helps alleviate any pinching on the nerve, as well as any nerve inflammation which may exist.

Radiofrequency Ablation

When facet joints in the cervical spine are contributing to neck pain, Radiofrequency Ablation provides longer-term relief by interrupting pain signals from those joints.

Minimally Invasive Disc Procedure

For the small number of patients with persistent or worsening neurological symptoms from a significant disc herniation that has not responded to injections, Dr. Koppel may recommend a minimally invasive disc procedure.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Schedule an evaluation if you experience:

• Pain radiating into your arm
• Numbness or tingling
• Weakness in your hand
• Neck pain lasting more than several weeks
• Difficulty gripping or lifting objects
• Symptoms interfering with work or sleep

Why Choose Dr. Todd Koppel?

Treating a pinched nerve requires more than simply relieving pain.

Dr. Todd Koppel has helped patients throughout New Jersey diagnose and treat cervical radiculopathy using advanced interventional pain management techniques and personalized treatment plans.

Patients choose Dr. Koppel because he offers:

• Nearly 30 years treating cervical spine conditions
• Fellowship training at the Hospital for Special Surgery
• Advanced image guided procedures
• Personalized treatment plans
• Conservative care before surgery
• Expertise treating neck pain and pinched nerves

At Garden State Pain Management, every treatment plan is designed to relieve pain, restore function, and help patients return to normal activities.