Hot and Cold Treatment

• Use a hot water bottle or an ice pack directly on the area to relieve the pain. Try either treatment, or alternate between hot and cold to provide relief. If you don't have a hot water bottle at home, wet a washcloth with hot water, wring out thoroughly and apply the warm cloth to the pinched nerve. You can also wrap ice in a washcloth for a homemade ice pack.
  
  

Massage

• Use massage on your pinched neck nerve to loosen the muscles and relieve pain. You can work the muscles on your own, or you can have someone else massage your pinched nerve for you. When someone else is massaging the affected area, make sure they apply only gentle pressure to avoid causing more pain. Use warm oil to help the neck relax during the massage.
  
  

Neck Exercises

• Try head rolls to loosen the muscles in the neck. Drop your head forward and slowly roll it clockwise several times. Then reverse and perform counterclockwise neck rolls. These exercises help to loosen the muscles in the neck and relieve a pinched nerve. They are especially helpful when a pinched nerve is the result of sitting at a desk or computer all day.
  
  

Over-the-Counter Medications

• Use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relief medications for a pinched nerve. These treatments can help relieve the pain long enough to use exercise or massage to loosen the muscles. If you are using a prescription medication, be sure that you are able to take NSAIDs with your medication. This is the type of medication most often used to treat a pinched nerve in the neck.
  
  

When to See the Doctor

• The symptoms of a pinched nerve usually disappear in a few days. When you have used these home remedies for a few days and the pain persists, it is time to visit the doctor. If the pain is getting worse despite your efforts at self-care, you should consult with your doctor as well.
  
  Watch for signs of numbness in the area or a loss of feeling in the neck. These symptoms may be signs of a stroke.