Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve is a nerve that has too much pressure applied to it (rather at once, or overtime) by the surrounding tissues (such as bones, cartilage, etc.) in the body. This pressure can cause pain, tingling and other symptoms, with varying severity depending on which nerve it is and how intense the pressure is or has been.

Damage from a pinched nerve may be minor, or severe, and could cause short or long lasting effects. It is important to seek diagnosis quickly if you believe you have a pinched nerve, as if left and severe, it may cause irreversible damage to the nerve.

Cause

The pressure causing a nerve to be pinched may be the result of repetitive motions, or from holding your body in one position for long periods, such as keeping elbows bent while sleeping.

Nerves are most vulrenable at places across the body where there is a narrow travel space and where there is little soft tissue to protect them.