Nerve Entrapment
PAIN CONDITION
Nerve Entrapment: Causes, Treatment & Pain Relief
Nerve entrapment—also known as a pinched nerve, nerve compression, or compression neuropathy—can cause nagging, sharp, or burning pain that disrupts your daily life. You may also experience numbness, feel like your hand or foot “fell asleep”. It happens when a nerve is compressed (entrapped) or irritated by surrounding tissues like muscles, bones, or tendons.[1] You may be at risk for painful entrapment neuropathy, like carpal tunnel, if your job or activities involve repetitive joint movements.[2]
While some trapped or pinched nerves may resolve with rest and self-care, many require intervention to prevent chronic pain and long-term damage. Pain management specialists can help diagnose and treat this condition so you can get back to doing what you love.
About Nerve Entrapment Pain
Nerve entrapment happens when a peripheral nerve—one of the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord—gets compressed or trapped in a tight space. These nerves connect different parts of your body, like your hands and feet.[2] As nerves pass through small openings in your muscles, bones, or joints, surrounding swollen or damaged tissue can press on them. This pressure interferes with the nerve’s ability to send signals properly, leading to pain, tingling, weakness, or numbness—often described as “pins and needles”.[3]
Some of the most well-known types of nerve entrapment include sciatica (in the lower back), ulnar (in the elbow) and carpal tunnel syndrome (in the wrist).[3] Entrapment can be caused by chronic conditions, injuries, repetitive movements, or even weight gain.[2]
Nerve Compression Pain Symptoms
Symptoms of a trapped nerve can vary depending on which part of the body is affected.
Here are common symptoms associated with nerve entrapment:
- Inflammation, redness, or swelling [4]
- Aches and pain [4]
- Tingling and numbness [4]
- Muscle weakness [4]
- Reduced flexibility [4]
- Muscle loss in the affected area [2]
- Inability to move a limb, lift your hand or foot, or grasp or hold onto items [2]
- Paresthesia (“pins and needles”) [3]
- Burning sensation [3]
- Dry thinning skin [3]
Entrapment Neuropathy Causes
Trapped nerves can happen if you have an injury, accident, chronic medical issues, or perform repeated movements. People who do certain jobs (assembly lines, construction, or typing) or play specific sports (golf, baseball, or tennis) are at higher risk for pinched or compressed nerves.[2]
Here are some conditions and causes that can trigger nerve compression:
Accidents or trauma [2]
Ankle, knee, or wrist sprains [2]
Arthritis [2]
Broken bones or bone spurs [2]
Diabetes [2]
Dislocated joints [2]
Herniated discs [2]
Hypothyroidism [2]
Cancer tumors [2]
Surgical complications [2]
Repetitive movements [2]
Cysts [4]
Pregnancy or menopause [4]
Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis [4]
High blood pressure [4]
Neural disorders [4]
Obesity [4]
Congenital disabilities [4]
Nerve Entrapment Pain Management Treatments
Compressed nerve treatment often involves a combination of therapies, depending on how severe the entrapment is, where it’s located, and whether it’s a new injury or a chronic issue.
At-home care and conventional treatments may include rest, hot and cold compresses, gentle stretching, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen. In some cases, oral steroids or wearing a brace can help reduce inflammation and give the nerve and surrounding tissue time to heal. [3]
Home remedies, along with the following lifestyle and habit changes, can play a big role in both treating and preventing pinched nerves:
- Rest regularly
- Use good posture
- Set up an ergonomic workspace
- Walk, swim, or do low-impact exercise
- Stretch or try yoga
- Get massage therapy
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Ask your doctor about B vitamins
- Eat anti-inflammatory foods
- Manage conditions like diabetes
Physical and occupational therapy offers muscle strengthening, flexibility, and movement modifications to prevent nerve irritation.[2]
For patients with chronic nerve pain or moderate to severe symptoms that interfere with daily life, non-surgical interventions can ease discomfort and improve function. Pain management offers the best chance for long-term relief and a return to normal activities when combined with lifestyle changes and conventional treatments.
Minimally invasive pain management interventions include:
- Nerve blocks
- Sympathetic blocks
- Peripheral nerve blocks
- Epidural steroid injections
- Intrathecal drug pumps
- Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
- Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS)
- Thoracic transforminal epidural steroid injection
- Radiofrequency neurotomy
- Radiofrequency nerve ablation
- Lumbar sympathetic block
- Fluoroscopic-guided piriformis injection
- Femoral nerve block
In some cases, surgical intervention may be needed to relieve pressure or reroute a nerve that isn’t responding to treatment.
When to Consult a Compressed Nerve Pain Care Specialist
If you’re dealing with lingering numbness, weakness, or pain that just won’t go away, don’t wait—it’s time to see a specialist. Pain management doctors regularly treat nerve entrapment and related conditions, helping patients reduce discomfort and regain function. You’ll get a personalized treatment plan built around your lifestyle and goals—whether that’s getting back to work, returning to your favorite sport, or simply enjoying daily life again.
Nerve pain can sideline you, making even simple movements painful. But with early, targeted care, you can avoid long-term damage and get back to moving freely, confidently, and without constant discomfort.
Disclaimer: This nerve entrapment resource is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing sudden or worsening weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, severe or radiating pain, or numbness that spreads rapidly, seek immediate medical attention. These symptoms may indicate a more serious condition, such as a herniated disc, spinal cord compression, or other neurological emergency. Always consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and personalized treatment.
Resources:
- Learning About Pinched Nerves. My Health Alberta Canada [Internet]. Accessed April 29, 2025. Available from: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=acj1933
- Nerve Compression Syndromes. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Accessed April 29, 2025. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22137-nerve-compression-syndrome
- Nerve Entrapment. Physiopedia [Internet]. Accessed April 29, 2025. Available from: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Nerve_Entrapment
- Vandergriendt C. Nerve Compression Syndrome. Healthline [Internet]. Updated September 29, 2018. Accessed April 29, 2025. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/nerve-compression-syndrome