Diagnosing a Pinched Nerve
If you suspect you have a pinched nerve, reach out to your doctor. They can lead you toward a diagnosis and steps to help ease your pain.
Signs & Symptoms
The most common sign of a pinched nerve is neck or lower back pain. Symptoms may also include:
- Arm or shoulder pain
- Numbness or tingling (“pins and needles” feeling) in the leg or foot
- Radiating pain in one or both legs
- Weakness in an arm, leg or foot
- Worsening pain with head or neck movements
Diagnosis
Your doctor can diagnose a pinched nerve using one or more of the following tests:
- Computed tomography (CT) scan—to produce detailed images to help diagnose spine conditions.
- Electromyography (EMG)/nerve conduction study (NCS)—to test nerve activity and identify if you have a damaged nerve.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—to produce detailed pictures of your spinal nerves.
- X-rays—of the spine.
