What Is a Pinched Nerve? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
You've probably heard someone say, “I have a pinched nerve.”
But what does that actually mean?
A pinched nerve occurs when a nerve is irritated or compressed by surrounding tissues. Depending on where it occurs, it can cause pain, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness that may travel away from the original area.
What Does a Pinched Nerve Feel Like?
A pinched or irritated nerve can feel different from ordinary muscle soreness.
If it is a sensory nerve that is pinched, you may get:
Sharp or shooting pain
Burning or electric-like pain
Tingling or “pins and needles”
Numbness
Pain that travels into an arm or leg
If it is a motor nerve that is pinched, you may get:
Muscle weakness
Muscle spasms
For example, irritation of a nerve in the neck may cause symptoms that travel into the shoulder, arm, or hand. A nerve problem involving the lower back may cause symptoms that travel into the buttock or leg into the feet.
What Causes a Pinched Nerve?
Nerves travel through relatively small spaces throughout the body. If surrounding tissues put pressure on a nerve or irritate it, symptoms can develop.
Possible causes include:
Disc problems (such as protrusions, extrusions, or herniations)
Joint changes (mechanical dysfunctions such as facet joint dysfunction)
Arthritis-related changes
Muscle tension or inflammation
Repetitive movements
Poor or sustained positioning
Injuries
Swelling around a nerve
Muscle spasms protecting joints out of alignment
Sometimes the source of the problem isn't obvious without an examination.
Is a Pinched Nerve the Same as a Muscle Knot?
No.
Muscle tension can certainly contribute to irritation around a nerve, but a nerve problem and a tight muscle aren't the same thing.
A muscle knot may cause localized aching or tenderness. Nerve irritation is more likely to produce symptoms such as tingling, numbness, burning, or pain that travels along an arm or leg.
Muscle spasm is often due to the body trying to protect a misaligned joint, muscle strain, or muscle tear.
That distinction is one reason an evaluation can be helpful when symptoms don't seem like ordinary muscle soreness.
Can Chiropractic Care Help a Pinched Nerve?
Depending on the cause of the nerve irritation, chiropractic care may be one part of a treatment plan, especially using Active Release Technique (ART).
A chiropractor may evaluate the movement of the spine and surrounding joints, look for areas of restricted motion, and consider factors that could be contributing to your symptoms.
Treatment may include chiropractic adjustments, soft-tissue techniques, exercises, stretches, or other recommendations depending on the individual situation.
The important thing to remember is that chiropractic care isn't appropriate for every cause of nerve pain. If your symptoms suggest a more serious problem or require another type of medical evaluation, your chiropractor may recommend that you see another healthcare provider such as a physiatrist or orthopedic doctor.
When Should You Get Checked?
Don't ignore significant or worsening neurological symptoms.
Seek prompt medical attention if you experience symptoms such as:
Significant or rapidly worsening weakness
Loss of coordination
Severe or progressive numbness
New problems controlling your bladder or bowel
Numbness around the groin or inner thighs
Severe symptoms following a major injury
Foot drop
These symptoms can require urgent medical evaluation.
The Bottom Line
A “pinched nerve” isn't simply another name for a sore muscle. Nerve irritation can cause pain, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness that may travel away from the source.
The first step is figuring out what may be causing the symptoms. Once the cause is better understood, your healthcare provider can recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
If you have pain that shoots into your arm or leg, or you're experiencing unexplained numbness or tingling, don't just assume it's a muscle problem. An evaluation can help determine what's going on.
