6 Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve | Chiropractic-Works

Nerves serve multiple essential functions in your body, including processing sensations, controlling muscle movements, and regulating automatic functions like breathing and heartbeats. Despite these critical roles, nerves are fragile and can be easily affected by pressure from inflammation or misplaced tissue. When a nerve becomes inflamed or irritated due to such contact, it is commonly referred to as a pinched nerve.

You may recognize conditions associated with pinched nerves by different names, such as sciatica, herniated discs, or carpal tunnel syndrome, as nerve compression can occur in various parts of the body. Our team at Chiropractic Works and Wellness Clinic can help determine if nerve compression is the cause of your symptoms and guide you on the path to recovery.

Identifying a Pinched Nerve
Since nerves have a wide range of responsibilities, the symptoms of a pinched nerve can vary. However, there are common symptoms that occur regardless of the location of the irritation. When experiencing a pinched nerve, you may notice one or more of the six typical symptoms, although the specific pain or sensation can differ based on the affected area.

6 Common Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve

1. Pain
Pinched nerves can lead to sharp, stabbing pain or dull aches, which can occur at any location. The pain might be misleading, presenting symptoms at the site of the pinched nerve or radiating to other areas downstream from the compression point.

2. Tingling or Pins and Needles
Sensory nerves may produce sensations beyond pain. The most common non-painful feeling is tingling, often described as “pins and needles” or the sensation of a “foot falling asleep.” While these sensations aren’t painful, they can be distracting or bothersome.

3. Numbness or Loss of Sensation
Some pinched nerves may cease transmitting sensory information to the brain, resulting in numb areas where nerve stimulation isn’t processed. It’s also possible to experience a combination of pain, tingling, and numbness along a nerve’s pathway due to a single injury.

4. Referred Symptoms
When multiple symptoms occur along a nerve pathway, those felt away from the site of the pinched nerve are termed referred symptoms. For instance, sciatica may present with sharp pain in the lower back, aching in the buttocks, tingling along the outer thigh, and numbness on the side of the knee.

5. Muscle Weakness
Motor nerves are responsible for muscle movement, and pinching can disrupt their normal function. Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, may struggle to grip objects tightly with their thumbs.

6. Loss of Function
In rare instances, autonomic nerves can also be pinched. A notable example is the cauda equina nerve bundle, which can be compressed by herniated discs in the lower back, potentially leading to urinary or fecal incontinence—a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.