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Patient Questions  /  What a pinched nerve feels like

Neck, Jaw & Headaches

What Does a Pinched Nerve Feel Like?

A pinched nerve often causes sharp, burning or electric pain that travels along a line, such as from the neck down the arm or from the low back down the leg. It may come with tingling, pins and needles, numbness or weakness. Muscle pain, by contrast, is usually achy and stays in one area. Most pinched nerves improve without surgery.

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Common signs of a pinched nerve

  • Pain that travels into the shoulder blade, arm or hand (from the neck), or into the buttock, leg or foot (from the low back).
  • Sharp, shooting, burning or electric pain, rather than a dull ache.
  • Tingling, pins and needles or numbness in part of the arm, hand, leg or foot.
  • Weakness, like a weaker grip or a foot that drags.
  • Certain positions make it worse, such as looking up or turning your head toward the sore side. Some people with a pinched neck nerve find that resting their hand on top of their head eases the arm pain.

The medical name is radiculopathy. It usually happens when a disc bulge or narrowing near the spine irritates a nerve root.

Nerve pain or muscle pain?

Muscle pain tends to be achy, sore to touch and limited to one area. It often eases with heat and gentle movement. Nerve pain is more likely to spread, cause odd sensations, and feel worse at night or in certain positions. Many people have a bit of both.

Many people with a pinched nerve improve over several weeks to a few months with time, activity changes and exercise.

When to see a doctor

Get medical care promptly if you have:

  • Weakness that is getting worse, or dropping things often
  • Clumsy hands, trouble with buttons or handwriting, or new trouble with balance or walking
  • Symptoms in both arms or both legs
  • Numbness in the groin or new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels: get emergency care
  • Nerve pain with fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer, or after a fall or accident

How physical therapy at ARI can help

A physical therapist can test your strength, reflexes and sensation to see which nerve is involved, then find positions and exercises that ease the pain. As symptoms settle, they add strengthening and mobility work. If anything suggests you need a doctor or imaging, they will tell you.

At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist, and our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Read our full guide: Pinched nerve in the neck →

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Related questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed October 2026