A pinched nerve is a nonmedical term for a compressed nerve. It can happen to any of the nerves outside of your spinal cord for a variety of reasons. You may feel tingling, numbness and pain. Mildly pinched nerves usually resolve with at-home care. But more severe cases may need medical treatment.
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A pinched nerve is a broad term for a compressed peripheral nerve (the nerves outside of your brain and spinal cord). Tissues that surround your nerves — like bones, ligaments and muscles — can put pressure on them and “squeeze” them. This typically causes symptoms like numbness, tingling and pain.
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“Pinched nerve” isn’t a technical medical diagnosis. Healthcare providers diagnose more specific causes and consequences of pinched nerves, like spinal stenosis and radiculopathy, for example. Providers may also call pinched nerves “nerve entrapment.”
Symptoms of a pinched nerve can be temporary or long-lasting (chronic), depending on the cause and severity. Most cases are treatable with rest, over-the-counter (OTC) medication and physical therapy.
There are several types of and reasons for pinched nerves based on the affected nerve. Nerves that travel through small openings (called tunnels or canals) in your joints are more at risk of becoming pinched. Tissue swelling or damage puts pressure on the nerve, causing symptoms.
When surrounding tissues press on peripheral nerve roots (where peripheral nerves “exit” your spinal cord), it can cause pain, numbness and tingling in different areas of your body. This is called radiculopathy.
There are several types of radiculopathies based on where the pinched nerve is along your spine:
Examples of pinched nerves elsewhere in your body include:
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These are all examples of nerve compression syndromes.
The experience of your limb “falling asleep” is also an example of a pinched nerve. This is the briefest form of a pinched nerve. Having poor positioning while you’re sitting or lying down can pinch a single nerve, which gives you that tingling or numb feeling. It goes away shortly after you move out of the position that caused it.
Pinched nerves are common, especially mild cases. It’s common for people to have a single pinched nerve when their feet or hands “fall asleep.”
Severely pinched nerves — like ones that cause radiculopathy — are rarer.
A pinched nerve usually causes symptoms of paresthesia (abnormal sensation). This can feel like:
A pinched nerve can also cause pain. This may feel sharp or like a dull ache. Moderately to severely pinched nerves may result in muscle weakness.
Since a single nerve can supply sensation to more than one part of your body, these symptoms can spread to different areas. For example, having a pinched sciatic nerve in your lower back can cause symptoms in your hips, butt and/or leg.
Pinched nerves happen when surrounding tissues — like bones, ligaments and muscles — press against your nerves. Excess swelling and inflammation can also squeeze nerves. Specific conditions that can lead to abnormal pressure on your nerves include:
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Specific spine conditions that can lead to a pinched nerve include:
Factors that increase your risk of experiencing a pinched nerve include:
You’ll want to visit a healthcare provider about your pinched nerve if it’s not responding to conservative treatment at home, like rest and over-the-counter pain relievers. To find the source of the pinched nerve, your provider will physically examine the affected area. They’ll look for muscle weakness, check for changes in reflexes and ask about the different sensations you’re feeling.
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If necessary, your provider may recommend one or more of these tests to find the source of the problem:
You likely won’t need surgery for a pinched nerve. Instead, your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of these treatments to help you feel better:
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Surgery is the last resort in treating a pinched nerve when nonsurgical treatment hasn’t helped. The type of surgery depends on the area and cause of the pinched nerve.
It’s not possible to prevent all types of pinched nerves. But taking certain actions can help lower your risk. For example:
Mildly pinched nerves often resolve on their own with at-home care, like rest. Moderately pinched nerves may need some medical care, like physical therapy or corticosteroids. Severely pinched nerves — including those that result from chronic conditions like spinal stenosis — may be long-lasting.
Your healthcare provider will be able to give you a better idea of what to expect.
Reduced symptom severity is a sign that your pinched nerve is healing. This may include:
It can take time for nerves to heal. Know that a reduction in your symptoms — even if it’s small — is a good sign. If your symptoms haven’t improved after a couple of weeks, see your healthcare provider.
If you’ve had symptoms of a pinched nerve for more than a week and they’re not getting better with at-home care, see your healthcare provider. They can determine the underlying cause and recommend treatment.
If you have intense pain or sudden muscle weakness, see a provider as soon as possible.
Pinched nerves are a common problem. Considering you have hundreds of branches of peripheral nerves in your body, it’s easy to see how just one of them can become compressed. But that doesn’t mean you have to live with lasting pain and abnormal sensations from this issue. If you think you might have a pinched nerve and your symptoms aren’t improving, talk to your healthcare provider. They’re available to help.
Last reviewed on 06/25/2024.
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