You know that not only will a pinched or irritated vagus nerve result in neck pain, but it can also lead to myriad issues throughout our body and mind - including increased anxiety, depression, headaches & migraines, poor digestive & immune system function, increased heart rate, and more.
For some, neck pain may also be a cause of anxiety, fueling health fears or distress. It is possible to treat neck pain independently, though in the long term it will become more important to treat anxiety.
If the nerve is compressed, stretched, or damaged by cervical spine instability, a myriad of problems, including runaway emotions can occur.
Neck tension, including having a stiff neck, neck tightness that radiates to the top of the head, fullness in the neck and head, and neck pain are often symptoms of anxiety disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and others.
Numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve. Sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward. Tingling, pins and needles sensations (paresthesia) Muscle weakness in the affected area.
Fun fact: You may have asked yourself a question like, 'can a pinched nerve cause dizziness' and the answer is yes–under certain conditions a nerve in the neck experiencing excess pressure can cause bouts of 'cervicogenic' dizziness.
Psychogenic oral paresthesia is an unpleasant sensation of tingling or pricking or a feeling of swelling or burning, with spontaneous onset.It can result due to local, systemic, psychogenic or idiopathic causes. Among psychogenic causes; anxiety disorder and depression are common.
When you feel anxious you might have racing thoughts but also physical symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, tense muscles, trembling, a rapid heartbeat, and pain and bloating in your abdomen. These are all the results of the stress response when the body releases cortisol as it prepares for “fight or flight.”
Pulled muscles are sometimes mistaken for pinched nerves, but can be ruled out based on the nature of the pain. A pulled muscle exhibits dull achy pain in a centralized location, whereas pinched nerve pain is sharp and radiates to other parts of the affected area.
If you have a pinched nerve now, generally stay away from anything that would put a strain on the nerve, no matter where it is. This includes high-intensity exercises, lifting heavy objects, or anything else that may cause sudden stress or pain in the body, as this could make the pinched nerve much worse.
When the neck is out of alignment then the information system from your brain to your body- your nervous system, can't do its job. This can lead to poor circulation, headaches, brain fog, sleep apnea, jaw tension and tight shoulders.
Surgery. If the pinched nerve doesn't improve after several weeks to a few months with conservative treatments, your doctor may recommend surgery to take pressure off the nerve.
Neck or low back pain that radiates into your arms or legs is often a sign of impingement or pinching of a nerve as it emerges from your spinal cord. An MRI may be able help identify structural lesions that may be pressing against the nerve so the problem can be corrected before permanent nerve damage occurs.
Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the emergency room if you have: Sudden onset of severe pain, numbness, weakness, or paralysis of an arm or leg that does not go away.
Most people may think that chiropractic treatment is only for body aches such as neck and back pains. However, this method is actually proven to relieve many other conditions including anxiety.
Massage your neck from your shoulders to the base of your skull using your fingertips to make small deep circles into the muscles on either side of your spine. Place both hands on the back of your head, interlacing the fingers.
Nerve pain - Anxiety can also cause the development of nerve-related pains. The pains are both real and psychological. Known as "psychogenic pain," the brain essentially activates pain sensors as a result of anxiety and stress.
Spinal adjustments can help to naturally restore the body to a healthy level by helping to improve nerve functions. Since people who experience anxiety can often become nervous; this type of treatment can be helpful. Spinal adjustments can also help to improve blood circulation which can reduce stress and anxiety.
Regarding the relationship between neck pain and mood distress, in cross-sectional surveys, pain in this location is associated with a psychological distress such as anxiety and depression [11–13]. Psychosocial factors are known risk factors for neck pain [14].
Stress. Daily stressors like traffic jams or missing your train can cause anyone anxiety. But long-term or chronic stress can lead to long-term anxiety and worsening symptoms, as well as other health problems. Stress can also lead to behaviors like skipping meals, drinking alcohol, or not getting enough sleep.