A plethora of nerves travel through your spinal canal and extend to your extremities, and if any of these nerves become damaged or compressed along the way, it can lead to painful symptoms. But because these nerves help relay messages to your brain from different areas of your body, symptoms of a pinched nerve can vary based on the location of the impingement. With that in mind, we thought it would be helpful to take a closer look at some common symptoms of pinched nerves based on the location of the impingement in your spine.
What Does A Pinched Nerve Feel Like?
A pinched nerve can produce different symptoms in patients, but two of the most common symptoms are localized pain and a loss of flexibility in the area of impingement. That said, symptoms can vary a bit based on which nerve is compressed in different areas of the spine. Head to a spine specialist if you believe you may be dealing with a pinched nerve, but here’s a closer look at some general symptoms you may experience if you’re suffering from a pinched nerve in these spinal locations.
- Pinched Nerve In The Cervical Spine – If you’re dealing with a pinched nerve at the top of your spine, symptoms may develop in or around the neck area. You may notice pain in the neck, a decreased ability to comfortably turn your neck in all directions and neck stiffness. However, some cervical spinal nerves end up running down your shoulder and arm, so symptoms could be present in these areas as well. Radiating pain or discomfort in the shoulders or arms could be a sign of a pinched nerve in the cervical spine region.
- Pinched Nerve In The Thoracic Spine – Pinched nerves in this area of the spine are rarer than in the other two areas simply because your mid spine is less flexible than the cervical and lumbar portions, which means discs are less likely to shift and compress nerves in the area. That said, thousands of people end up with a compressed nerve in the thoracic spine each year, so you should be aware of the symptoms. Pain, discomfort and overall stiffness tend to be contained to the chest region, which can leave some people wondering if they are dealing with a more severe condition, like a heart attack. If you are experiencing symptoms in the chest or mid-spine, get an evaluation from a specialist.
- Pinched Nerve In The Lumbar Spine – The lower part of your spine is a common area for nerves to be compressed because we put a lot of stress and strain on the area, and over time that can lead to shifting spinal discs. Again, pain and stiffness localized to the lower back are common symptoms, but nerves that relay signals to our lower body also pass through this area, so pain that seems to shoot down your legs is also common. Numbness or a tingling sensation in your lower back, buttocks, hips and legs can also develop as a result of a pinched nerve in the lumbar spine.
If you’re dealing with any of these conditions, or you just want help getting to the bottom of your spinal discomfort, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi. He’ll provide you with a comprehensive diagnosis and walk you through an individualized treatment plan. For more information, reach out to his team today at (651) 430-3800.
