“Trapped Nerve” - What is it?
A trapped nerve, also known as nerve compression or nerve impingement, occurs when a nerve is irritated or compressed by surrounding structures such as muscles, ligaments, bones, or intervertebral discs.
The term “trapped nerve” is one many people use when describing pain, tingling, or numbness. But what does it actually mean? From an Osteopathy, rehabilitation, and movement therapy perspective, understanding what’s happening is key to choosing the right treatment approach.
What Do We Mean by a “Trapped Nerve”?
A trapped nerve, also known as nerve compression or nerve impingement, occurs when a nerve is irritated or compressed by surrounding structures such as muscles, ligaments, bones, or intervertebral discs. This pressure can interfere with the normal function of the nerve, leading to symptoms such as:
Pain (sharp, burning, or radiating)
Tingling or pins and needles
Numbness
Muscle weakness
Common sites for nerve compression include the spine (e.g. a Lumbar disc affecting the Sciatic nerve) and the neck (e.g. Cervical nerve root irritation).
Why Do Trapped Nerves Happen?
Nerve compression can result from several causes:
Disc herniation or degeneration – pressure from spinal discs on nerve roots
Muscle tightness or spasm – as in piriformis syndrome affecting the sciatic nerve
Postural factors – prolonged poor positioning increasing stress on nerves
Arthritic changes – narrowing of joint spaces leading to nerve irritation
How Does It Affect Daily Function?
Nerves are the body’s communication highways. When their function is impaired, it doesn’t just cause pain – it can alter movement, reduce strength, and interfere with daily activities such as walking, sitting, or lifting. If left untreated, chronic compression can lead to ongoing weakness or altered motor control (Stafford et al., 2007).
What Can Help?
Treatment depends on the cause, severity, and duration of symptoms. Approaches may include:
Osteopathy and manual therapy – to improve joint mobility, reduce muscle tension, and relieve pressure
Targeted rehabilitation exercises – to strengthen supporting muscles and improve movement control
Postural and ergonomic advice – to reduce mechanical strain on the nerve
Medical management – in more severe cases, medication or surgical intervention may be necessary
The Role of Exercise and Mind–Body Connection
Research shows that carefully prescribed exercise can reduce pain, improve function, and support long-term recovery in nerve-related conditions such as Sciatica (Fernández-de-Las-Peñas et al., 2021). Training awareness of movement and posture through approaches such as Clinical Pilates could also reduce recurrence by promoting better body control and reducing strain on vulnerable areas.
Conclusion
A “trapped nerve” is not a diagnosis in itself but a description of symptoms linked to nerve compression or irritation. With the right combination of professional care, exercise, education and lifestyle management, many people recover well and return to normal activity.
References
Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, et al. (2021). Clinical practice guidelines for the management of non-specific low back pain with radicular pain. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(10), 2236.
Stafford MA, Peng P, Hill DA. (2007). Sciatica: A review of history, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and the role of epidural steroid injection in management. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 99(4), 461–473.
