Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve can cause pain, weakness or tingling that can make it hard for you to work, sleep or enjoy your life. At Banner Health, our neurology and orthopedic specialists work together to find out what’s causing your symptoms and provide personalized treatments to help you heal and feel better.

What is a pinched nerve?

A pinched nerve happens when bone, cartilage, muscle or fluid puts pressure on a nerve. This pressure can make it hard for the nerve to work properly. This condition is sometimes called a compressed nerve, nerve compression or nerve entrapment.

Pinched nerves can occur in many parts of your body. They are more common in places where nerves travel through narrow spaces without much soft tissue to protect them, like your neck, back and wrist. 

What are symptoms of a pinched nerve?

Symptoms of a pinched nerve depend on which nerve is affected. They can be temporary or long-lasting. They may get worse with movements, like turning your head or straining your neck or when you are sleeping. 

You may have:

• Radiating or burning pain
• Numbness, tingling or a “pins and needles” feeling
• Muscle weakness or trouble moving part of your body
• A feeling that your hand or foot “falls asleep”

Depending on the nerve that’s pinched or compressed, you may have:

• Cervical radiculopathy: A pinched nerve in your neck that can cause pain and weakness in your arms
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: A pinched nerve in your wrist causing symptoms in your hand and fingers
• Cubital tunnel syndrome: A pinched nerve in your elbow causing tingling or pain in your ring and pinky fingers
• Sciatica: A pinched nerve in your back that causes symptoms in your leg
• Meralgia paresthetica: A pinched nerve in your groin, leading to burning or numbness on your outer thigh
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome: A pinched nerve in your ankle, causing pain, tingling or numbness in your foot

Learn more about your back and neck pain with our online assessment tool.

What causes a pinched nerve?

Many things can put pressure on a nerve or the nerve root near your spinal cord:

• Bone spurs from arthritis
• Herniated or bulging disks
• Swelling from injury or overuse
• Repetitive motion or poor posture
• Scar tissue or cysts
• Spondylolisthesis, a condition where vertebrae shift out of place
• Being born with a narrow spinal canal or carpal tunnel 

Your risk of a pinched nerve goes up as you get older. It may be higher if you:

• Sit, stand or lie in one position for too long
• Have jobs or hobbies where you do repetitive hand, wrist or shoulder movements, like assembly line work
• Are pregnant or carry extra weight, since excess body weight puts more pressure on nerves
• Have health conditions like arthritis, diabetes or thyroid disease 
• Smoke cigarettes or use nicotine products
• Perform heavy lifting
• Have poor posture
• Don’t stretch regularly

How are pinched nerves diagnosed?

To get a clear picture of what’s causing your symptoms, your health care provider will review your medical history, symptoms and perform a physical exam such as checking your reflexes and muscle strength.

They may also recommend tests like:

• X-rays to check for bone changes or narrowing
• MRI or CT scans to see soft tissue and nerve compression
• Ultrasound to show nerve compression or damage to nearby ligaments
• Nerve conduction studies to measure how well your nerves are working

Pinched nerves can sometimes be misdiagnosed as peripheral neuropathy. Both conditions involve nerve damage and can have similar symptoms. But with peripheral neuropathy, compression isn’t causing the symptoms. Getting the right diagnosis helps you get the right treatment.

Sometimes, compressed nerves show up on imaging studies that are done for other reasons. Compressed nerves that don’t cause symptoms generally don’t need to be treated. 

How are pinched nerves treated?

Our team can work with you to find the treatment that best fits your needs and helps you get back to your routine.

Treatment for a pinched nerve usually starts with:

• Rest and avoiding activities that make your symptoms worse 
• A splint or brace to help keep the area still
• Ice or heat therapy to reduce swelling and soothe tense muscles
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen, to reduce swelling and pain
• Physical therapy to stretch tight muscles and strengthen weak areas

If these methods don’t work, your provider may suggest:

• Stronger pain medications
• Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
• Nerve pain medications like gabapentin or pregabalin
• Surgery to relieve nerve pressure in severe cases

Be sure to tell your provider if your symptoms aren’t getting better or they are getting worse.

With the right care, most people recover from a pinched nerve in a few weeks to a few months without ongoing problems. But the longer symptoms last, the harder they are to treat. If nerve compression lasts a long time, you may have fluid buildup, swelling, extra pressure or scarring that can cause permanent nerve damage. 

When should you see a provider for a pinched nerve?

See a health care provider for:

• Symptoms that last for more than a few days or are getting worse
• Symptoms that are interfering with your daily life
• Symptoms that started right after trauma
• Weakness in your arms, hands, legs or feet
• Pain that spreads to other parts of your body
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Fever

How can you prevent a pinched nerve?

You can’t always prevent pinched nerves, but these tips can help lower your risk:

• Avoid staying in one position or crossing your legs for long periods
• Practice good posture and body mechanics to support your spine and joints
• Stretch regularly
• Exercise to strengthen your muscles, especially your core
• Maintain a healthy weight to put less pressure on nerves
• Use proper techniques for lifting - bend your knees and keep heavy objects close to your body 
• Limit repetitive activities and take frequent breaks when performing them

Why choose Banner Health for pinched nerve care?

When you choose Banner Health for comprehensive nerve care, you benefit from:

• Experienced neurologists, spine specialists and physical therapists who diagnose and treat a full range of nerve and spine conditions
• On-site imaging and advanced therapies, including CT or MRI scans, nerve studies, medication and surgery 
• Personalized support to help you heal safely and completely

Schedule an evaluation for pinched nerve symptoms

If you’re feeling numbness, tingling or pain that won’t go away, don’t wait. Banner Health can help you find the cause of your symptoms and create a plan to help you feel better.