A pinched nerve in the spine occurs when one of the delicate spinal nerves is compressed by nearby structures, such as a herniated disc, a bone spur, muscles or other soft tissues. The spinal cord travels through the bony structure of the spine, and spinal nerves branch off the cord at each vertebral level. These nerves carry information to and from the periphery of the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, any pressure on a nerve causes inflammation and irritation, leading to a variety of symptoms. If the pressure is relieved, proper nerve function can return, but if pressure is allowed to continue, irreversible damage may occur.
Pain
Pain does not necessarily accompany all pinched nerves, but it is common. Pain may be localized to the vicinity of the pinched nerve, or it may radiate along the course of the nerve. A common example of radiating pain caused by a pinched nerve is in the case of sciatica. When the large sciatic nerve, which runs from the lumbar spine down along the back of the leg into the foot, becomes compressed by a muscle or herniated disc, pain is generally felt anywhere along this pathway. Many patients describe their leg pain as worse than back pain even when the actual compression is occurring in the back. Mayo Clinic reports that pain may be sharp, burning or electric in nature.
Numbness and Tingling
Numbness, or decreased sensation in the area that the pinched nerve supplies, is one of the most common symptoms encountered. Doctors can sometimes determine which nerve is being pinched by using hot and cold or a pinwheel to identify the areas of skin that are affected by numbness. Tingling, or paresthesia, is often described as a "pins and needles" sensation and usually accompanies numbness.
Muscle Weakness
Each muscle in the body is activated by a nerve or set of nerves. When the nerve supply to a muscle is compressed, information is not able to travel appropriately, and the result is muscle weakness. According to Spine Health, a clinician will test muscle strength in various areas of the body to determine which nerve in the spine is being pinched.
Spasm
According to Spine Universe, spasms in the muscles of the back often accompany a pinched nerve and can be painful. In addition, muscle spasms can aggravate other symptoms by increasing the amount of compression on the nerve. Muscle relaxing techniques or medication can help reduce all symptoms.
