Is It A Pinched Nerve?

picture of a man with nerve pain and graphics detailing the three causes of pain

Is It a Pinched Nerve?

Advanced Back & Neck Pain Center | Chiropractic | Newark’s Best Chiropractor

Pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness traveling into the arms or legs often leads people to ask one question: “Is it a pinched nerve?” The answer can be yes — but not always for the reason you think.

Understanding what’s actually causing the symptoms is the key to lasting relief.


What Is a “Pinched Nerve”?

“Pinched nerve” is a catch‑all term used to describe symptoms that follow a nerve pathway. These symptoms may include sharp or burning pain, pins‑and‑needles sensations, numbness, or weakness. They commonly affect the neck, low back, shoulders, arms, hips, or legs.

What many people don’t realize is that pinched‑nerve symptoms can come from several different sources — not all of them involve a nerve being physically trapped.


Three Common Causes of Pinched‑Nerve‑Type Symptoms

1. True Physical Nerve Compression

This is the classic cause people imagine. A spinal joint restriction, disc bulge, swelling, or biomechanical misalignment can physically narrow the space around a nerve. When nerve signals are disrupted, symptoms may radiate away from the spine.

2. Inflammatory Nerve Irritation

In some cases, the nerve isn’t compressed at all — it’s chemically irritated. Inflammation from injured joints, discs, or surrounding tissues can sensitize the nerve and create intense symptoms even without visible compression.

3. Referred Pain From Injured Muscles

Sometimes the nerve is not the problem at all. Tight, strained, or injured muscles can refer pain or tingling that closely mimics nerve pain. This is one of the most commonly missed causes and often explains why symptoms don’t respond to treatments aimed only at the nerve.


Why Proper Diagnosis Matters

Each of these conditions requires a different treatment approach. Treating inflammation differs from relieving compression, and muscle‑based referral pain requires targeted soft‑tissue and movement correction.

When the true source isn’t identified, patients may experience temporary relief — or no relief at all.


How Chiropractic Care Helps

At Advanced Back & Neck Pain Center, chiropractic care focuses on identifying the root cause of symptoms, not just masking pain.

Chiropractic care can help by:

Because chiropractic is non‑invasive and drug‑free, it is often an excellent first step for pinched‑nerve‑type symptoms.


The Bottom Line

If you’re experiencing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness, it may be a pinched nerve — or something that feels exactly like one. Identifying the true source is what allows for effective, long‑lasting relief.

If you’re searching for Newark’s Best Chiropractor or expert chiropractic care in Delaware, the team at Advanced Back & Neck Pain Center is here to help you move better, feel better, and heal naturally.  Call us anytime at 302-368-1300 or visit www.advancedback.com to schedule an appointment today!

Author
Dr. Travis McKay

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