Published by PMR of NY & CT
A sharp pain that shoots down your arm when you turn your head, or a leg that tingles after you sit for a while, can be unsettling. These are classic pinched nerve symptoms, and they happen when surrounding tissue presses on a nerve and disrupts the signals it carries.
Most pinched nerves improve with time and conservative care. Knowing what the symptoms feel like, where they show up and which signs need prompt attention can help you decide what to do next.
What a pinched nerve is
Nerves carry signals between your brain and the rest of your body. When a bulging disc, a bone spur, a thickened ligament or swollen tissue presses on a nerve, the result is called nerve compression, or a pinched nerve.
It happens most often where nerves pass through tight spaces: as they leave the spine in the neck and lower back, and at the wrist and elbow. The irritated nerve can cause symptoms right at that spot or anywhere along its path.
Common pinched nerve symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on which nerve is affected, but they often include:
- Numbness or reduced feeling in part of an arm, hand, leg or foot
- Tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation
- Sharp, burning or electric pain
- Radiating pain that travels along a line, such as down the arm or leg
- Muscle weakness in the area that nerve controls
- A feeling that a hand or foot has fallen asleep
Symptoms often come and go and may change with position. Many people notice that certain movements, like looking up or bending forward, bring them on, and some find symptoms worse at night or first thing in the morning.
How symptoms differ by location
Where you feel symptoms often hints at which nerve is involved.
Pinched nerve in the neck
A pinched nerve in the neck can cause pain that runs from the neck into the shoulder blade, arm and hand. You may feel numbness or tingling in specific fingers, a weaker grip, or pain that worsens when you turn or tilt your head. Our neck pain page covers other common causes of neck discomfort.
Pinched nerve in the lower back
A pinched nerve in the lower back often causes pain that radiates through the buttock and down the leg, sometimes past the knee into the foot. This pattern is commonly called sciatica. It may come with numbness, tingling or a weak foot, and sitting, coughing or sneezing can make it worse.
At the wrist and elbow
Pressure on the median nerve at the wrist, known as carpal tunnel syndrome, causes numbness and tingling in the thumb and first fingers. Pressure on the ulnar nerve at the elbow affects the ring and little fingers.
What raises your risk
Pinched nerves can happen to anyone, but some factors make them more likely:
- Age-related wear in the spine, such as disc changes and bone spurs
- Arthritis, which can narrow the spaces where nerves travel
- Repetitive motions with the hands, wrists or neck
- Pregnancy and fluid retention
- A higher body weight
- Diabetes, which raises the risk of nerve compression
- Long stretches in one position, such as leaning on your elbows
When to see a professional
Most people recover within a few days or weeks with rest from aggravating activities and gentle movement, though some cases take longer. Make an appointment if:
- Symptoms last more than several days without improving, or keep coming back
- Numbness or tingling is spreading
- You notice weakness, such as dropping things or a foot that catches when you walk
- Pain keeps you from sleeping or working
An exam that checks your strength, reflexes and sensation helps pinpoint the nerve involved. Some people also need imaging or EMG and nerve conduction testing to measure how well the nerve is working.
Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you have:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in your groin or inner thighs
- Sudden or rapidly worsening weakness in an arm or leg
- Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the face or body, confusion or trouble speaking, which can signal a stroke
- Arm, shoulder or jaw pain with chest pressure, shortness of breath or a cold sweat, which can signal a heart attack
- Numbness or weakness after a fall, car accident or other injury
Frequently asked questions
Can a pinched nerve cause chest or rib pain?
It can. A pinched nerve in the middle of the back may cause sharp or burning pain that wraps around the ribs toward the chest, usually on one side. Chest pain can also come from the heart or lungs, so don't assume it is a nerve. Call 911 for chest pain or pressure, especially with shortness of breath, sweating or nausea, and have any new chest pain checked promptly.
How can you tell a pinched nerve from a pulled muscle?
A pulled muscle usually causes a localized ache or tightness that hurts when you use or stretch that muscle. A pinched nerve more often causes pain that shoots or travels, along with numbness, tingling or weakness farther down the arm or leg. The two can happen together, so if you notice any numbness or weakness, have it checked.
Can you get a pinched nerve from sleeping wrong?
An awkward sleeping position can irritate a nerve or strain the muscles around it, especially in the neck, and you may wake up stiff with tingling that eases within a day or two. When symptoms last longer, there is often an underlying issue, such as a disc problem or arthritis, that the position aggravated. Symptoms that aren't easing after several days deserve an exam.
Request an appointment at PMR
If pinched nerve symptoms are interrupting your sleep or work, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of NY & CT (PMR) can help find the source. Learn about our pinched nerve treatment, or request an appointment and our team will contact you to schedule.
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