What are the Symptoms of Pinched Nerves?

What is Pinched Nerve?

Pinched nerve is a condition in which a lot of pressure is exerted on a nerve by its surrounding tissues like bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons. This pressure creates a disruption in the functioning of the nerve causing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness. This problem of pinched nerve can occur in several parts of the body. For example, if you are suffering from a herniated disk in your lower spine, then it may apply pressure on the nerve root, leading to pain that travels to the leg.

What are the Symptoms of Pinched Nerve?

The signs and symptoms of pinched nerve include:

• Numbness or decreased sensation in the area where the nerve goes
• An ache and burning sensation that radiates outward
• A tingling sensation
• The frequent feeling of a foot or hand fallen asleep.
• The symptoms of pinched nerve may become worse while you are sleeping.

What are the Causes of Pinched Nerve?

The condition occurs when a lot of pressure is exerted on a nerve by its surrounding tissue. In some cases, the pressure exerting tissue may be a bone or cartilage just like in the case of a herniated spinal disk that compresses a nerve.

In case of carpal tunnel syndrome, several tissues may be involved in the compression of carpal tunnel’s median nerve, including swollen tendon sheaths within the tunnel, enlarged bone which narrows the tunnel, or a thickened and degenerated ligament.

There can be several conditions that can make the tissue to compress a nerve or nerves. These conditions include:

• Injury
• Poor posture
• Rheumatoid or wrist arthritis
• Stress from repetitive work
• Hobbies or sports activities
• Obesity

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