Pinched nerve causes and symptoms

Even thinking about a pinched nerve may be enough to make you cringe. If you ever experience this injury, it’s safe to assume you won’t enjoy the pain and discomfort associated with it.

A pinched nerve occurs when surrounding tissues apply too much pressure. Some many reasons this may happen include:

• Injury
• Stress from repetitive work, such as lifting or computer use
• Hobbies
• Obesity

An injury, such as a blow to the back by a heavy piece of machinery, could result in a pinched nerve among other problems.

There are a variety of symptoms commonly associated with a pinched nerve, such as:

• Muscle weakness
• Numbness in the area of the body supplied by the nerve
• Burning, sharp pain
• Tingling, often feeling a sensation of pins and needles
• Feeling that a hand or foot has fallen asleep

While not always the case, many people report a worsening of symptoms when sleeping.

If you experience any of these symptoms, keep a close eye on them for a period of one to two days. Unless they improve, it’s imperative to seek immediate medical attention.

In the event that you suffered an on-the-job injury, you don’t want to wait to receive medical care. It’s best to seek help right away, as this can work in your favor should you file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.

A pinched nerve is every bit as painful as it sounds, so it has the potential to keep you out of work for an extended period of time. If this happens, it may be within your legal rights to seek financial assistance through the workers’ compensation system.