Nerves can often be pinched, or compressed, where they leave the upper and lower spinal regions in the neck and back. This pinching can be caused by a condition such as a herniated disc or bone spurs that form from spinal arthritis. However, symptoms of a pinched nerve do not always occur at the exact location of the pinched nerve. Instead, pain that is associated with pinched nerves often radiates out to the peripheral nerves of the body’s extremities.

Pinched nerve symptoms can affect different parts of the body

When an individual has a pinched nerve in the lower back, for example, symptoms of pain can radiate down the leg. A pinched nerve in the neck can cause pain to travel from the neck, through the shoulders, down the arms and into the hands. Other specific symptoms of a pinched nerve include:

• Shooting pain
• Tingling and numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Cramping

Muscle spasms in the back commonly coincide with pinched nerves and can cause weakness in the arms or legs. The two most common pinched nerves in the lower back are L5 (lumbar 5) and S1 (sacral 1).

Preventive measures and treatment options for a pinched nerve

To help reduce your chances of developing pinched nerve symptoms, it is important to either avoid high-risk activities or learn about precautionary measures you can take to protect yourself. We suggest you take a moment to visit our pinched nerve causes page to make yourself more aware of the causes and learn how you can avoid them. Making healthy lifestyle choices like eating a nutritious diet, managing your weight and avoiding tobacco use can have a positive impact on spinal health.

For your convenience, the medical team at USA Spine Care has compiled a pinched nerve FAQ page to answer any questions you may have. If you still have unanswered questions or would like more information on how we can help you, please feel free to contact us. Our minimally invasive spine surgery is a safer and effective alternative^ to traditional open spine procedures, offering our patients a streamlined outpatient experience with less risk of complication.

We are pleased to offer a no-cost review of your CT scan or MRI* to determine if you may be a candidate for one of our procedures.

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