What is a pinched nerve?

A pinched nerve is an injury to a nerve or group of nerves resulting from compression, entrapment or stretching. Numbness, tingling, burning or pain can result. In some cases, muscle weakness can also occur. Symptoms of a pinched nerve may develop gradually or can come on suddenly.

Nerves can be compressed as they leave the spine; when they pass over bony prominences, through muscles, or under ligaments; or as a result of trauma. Sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome are two commonly recognized syndromes associated with pinched nerves, although pinched nerves can occur in many locations.

Causes of pinched nerves include herniated (slipped) discs in the neck or spine; degenerative disc disease; stenosis (narrowing) of the spinal canal; repetitive use injuries; bone spurs or fractures; and inflammation around, or irritation of, nerves.

Treatment usually involves rest of the affected nerve. Physical therapy, splinting, over-the-counter pain medications, and steroid injections may be helpful. In some cases, surgery may be done to relieve entrapment or alleviate compression of the nerve.

Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for severe, debilitating pain or for trauma that results in significant pain, loss or alteration of sensation, incontinence of urine or feces, or blood in the urine.

Seek prompt medical care if you notice persistent numbness, tingling, or other sensory changes in an area; if you develop progressive weakness or notice muscle wasting in an area; or if you develop incontinence, have pain that disrupts your sleep, or symptoms that don't respond to rest or over-the-counter pain medications.

What are the symptoms of a pinched nerve?

Symptoms of a pinched nerve depend upon the location, but typically involve alterations in sensation such a pain or numbness and may involve weakness.

Common symptoms of a pinched nerve

Common pinched nerve symptoms are typically localized to one area, which can be large, radiating down the entire leg or arm, or small, depending upon where the nerve is compressed. Symptoms may include:

Body aches
Burning feeling
Change in symptoms based on body position
Fecal incontinence (inability to control stools)
Impaired balance and coordination
Muscle wasting
Numbness or tingling in arms or legs
Pain
Urinary incontinence (inability to control urination)
Weakness (loss of strength)

Symptoms that might indicate a serious condition

Pinched nerves can have permanent complications. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have symptoms of a pinched nerve associated with any of these symptoms:

Absent or diminished pulse
Fecal incontinence (inability to control stools)
Impaired balance and coordination
Prolonged numbness or tingling that don't improve with rest
Severe pain
Urinary incontinence (inability to control urination)

What causes a pinched nerve?

Anything that compresses, entraps or stretches a nerve or group of nerves can cause a pinched nerve. This can include pressure on a nerve from a bulging or herniated disc in the back, broken bones or bone spurs, or inflammation or swelling of nearby structures. Certain body positions can stretch nerves or put pressure on them. Cystic growths or tumors can also press on nerves.

Common causes of pinched nerve

A number of conditions can cause a pinched nerve including:

Arthritis
Benign or malignant tumors of nerves, soft tissue, or other structures
Bone spurs, cysts or tumors
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Degenerative disc disease (caused by wear and tear and the effects of aging on the spine)
Fracture of bone
Repetitive use injuries
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal, creating pressure on the spinal cord or nerves)
Trauma or injury

What are the risk factors for a pinched nerve?

A number of factors increase the risk of developing a pinched nerve. Not all people with risk factors will get a pinched nerve. Risk factors for a pinched nerve include:

Obesity
Occupational activities that put the individual at risk for pinched nerve
Poor posture
Pregnancy
Prior injuries such as fractures or repetitive use injuries
Sports injuries

Reducing your risk of a pinched nerve

You may be able to lower your risk of pinched nerve by:

Maintaining a healthy weight
Observing good posture
Using an ergonomically correct workstation
Using protective equipment to reduce the risk of injury while playing sports or exercising

How is a pinched nerve treated?

Treatment of a pinched nerve often begins with rest and use of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, if needed. When these actions fail to improve your symptoms, splinting, steroid injections, and physical therapy might be helpful. In some circumstances, surgery may be needed to treat nerve entrapment or compression.

Common treatments of a pinched nerve

Common treatments of a pinched nerve may include:

Application of ice or heat
Evaluation of workstation functionality or athletic form to see if improvements can be made
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxyn (Aleve, Naprosyn), and indomethacin (Indocin)
Occupational therapy to improve posture
Physical therapy to improve strength or functional ability
Splinting of a joint involved in a pinched nerve syndrome
Steroid injections or oral steroid medications to reduce inflammation
Surgery to alleviate pressure or release entrapped nerves

Complementary treatments

Some complementary treatments may help some people in their efforts to deal with a pinched nerve. These treatments, sometimes referred to as alternative therapies, are used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments. Complementary treatments are not meant to substitute for traditional medical care. Be sure to notify your doctor if you are consuming nutritional supplements or homeopathic (nonprescription) remedies as they may interact with the prescribed medical therapy.

Complementary treatments may include:

Acupuncture
Biofeedback
Massage therapy
Nutritional dietary supplements, herbal remedies, tea beverages, and similar products
Yoga

What are the potential complications of pinched nerve?

Complications of untreated pinched nerves can be serious. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Complications of pinched nerve include: