I am having severe pain in the muscle going from my neck into my shoulder. It is also radiating down my arm and into my elbow. I was diagnosed with a pinched nerve resulting from inflamed muscles. I was given Prednisone and Soma muscle relaxer. I have been sleeping in the recliner all week because it hurts too much to lie in bed. What do you think is going on? I m tired of being in pain.
Hi, Thank you for providing the brief history of you. A thorough neuromuscular assessment is advised along with MRI of cervical spine. Most times, these symptoms occurs due to pinching of nerve in the cervical spine due to any of the cervical disc prolapse, herniation, protrusion, etc. Understanding at which level this has occurred is more important. Also, the prednisone and the SOMA muscle relaxer are the symptomatic treatment plans which helps to reduce the pain. On a longer run, physical therapy is the choice as with therapeutic ultrasound therapy and TENS therapy the pain can be controlled, also, these are non-invasive techniques without any long term or short term side effects. In my clinical practice, we have never used steroids or painkillers for patients, and majority have responded well to physical therapy. Also, by strengthening the muscles of the spine, the patients long term recovery is maintained. RegardsJay In Chat Doctor. 