Pinched Nerve in Neck - anyone have any luck avoiding them, again?

What’s your lifestyle like? I used to get them in the same nerve and same place occasionally in high school when I played sports and lifted weights a lot and generally ragged my body the frick out with no regard for my health, and now that I’m older and actually take care of my body I don’t get them anymore.

If a muscle relaxer solves the problem I’d recommend getting advice from a doctor or PT because it sounds like the problem is being aggravated by something that can be corrected.

I have neck issues (tech neck) which used to give me pinched nerves often. Things I have done that help (in most effective order): 1) chirp wheels 2x/day (Amazon), 2) focus on spinal alignment when trying to sleep (pillow between legs to promote neutral spine as a side sleeper), and 3) decompression exercises (chiropractic care and/or at home decompression remedies).

I have also had cortisone injections in my neck that help greatly, but the effects only last a couple months so I try to focus on more long term solutions.

Which cervical vertebrae?

I've been battling them off and on and bought a Saunders Cervical decompression device and I use it intermittently.

10-15 min 3x per week should be my maintenance on it, but I have been slacking.

I have one in my upper back, just below my shoulder blades. Like another poster, mine came from not taking proper care of my body and playing rec sports through the pain. My issues was it will cause my upper back to lock up, sometimes to the point that I Can't turn my neck. A quick back crack would often alleviate the pain/tightness enough for me to go back to playing sports.

My fixes were regular chiro visits for a few weeks (Probably should have gone the PT route, but I was friends with the chiro). I also had him order me a tens unit and tell me where to put the pads whenever I feel something about to lock-up. And the chirp wheels 2x a day (used a foam roller before the chirp wheel). I use it in the morning after a hot shower, and right before going to bed.

If I'm doing anything around the house that has me hunched over (yard work, some DIY projects), then I will take a quick break and get another 10-15 min stretch/session in with the chirp wheels.