What is a pinched nerve?
A nerve becomes “pinched” when nearby tissue presses on it, partly interrupting its signals. Pinched nerves can happen almost anywhere — from the neck to the wrist to the lower spine — and symptoms often show up away from the actual pinch. Sciatica is a classic example: a compressed nerve in the low back causes pain that shoots through the buttock and leg.
Sometimes a pinched nerve settles on its own within a couple of weeks. If symptoms persist and rest isn’t helping, get it evaluated sooner rather than later.
Symptoms
- Sharp pain that radiates with certain movements, or near-constant pain
- A limb or area “falling asleep”
- Pins and needles
- Sudden muscle weakness
- Burning
- Numbness that comes and goes
For many people, symptoms are worst while lying down, sleeping or just after waking up.
How we treat pinched nerves
Physical therapy and conservative care work well for some patients. Chronic pinched-nerve pain needs a different approach, which may include:
- Injections that calm the nerve and give it time to heal
- Botox® therapy
- Regenerative medicine to support healing
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD®)
- Interspinous spacers such as Vertiflex™ to free the pinched nerve