Pinched Nerve in the Middle of Your Back? Here's What to Do

A pinched nerve in the middle of your back can be a real pain, and you’re not alone. Around 85 out of 100,000 Americans experience this each year. Whether caused by poor posture, sudden movement, or a chronic issue, a pinched nerve can cause discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the back and even radiate to other parts of the body. If you're dealing with this, you’re probably wondering how to find relief. This post will explain what causes a pinched nerve in the middle of your back, the symptoms to look out for, and effective ways to treat it so you can get back to feeling your best.

What Is a Pinched Nerve?

According to Dr. Christopher R. Cook, LOG spine surgeon, “A pinched nerve happens when surrounding tissues, such as bones, muscles, or ligaments, place pressure on a peripheral nerve—the nerves that extend outside the brain and spinal cord. This compression disrupts the normal function of the nerve, often causing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness.”

“A pinched nerve happens when surrounding tissues, such as bones, muscles, or ligaments, place pressure on a peripheral nerve—the nerves that extend outside the brain and spinal cord. This compression disrupts the normal function of the nerve, often causing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness.” - Dr. Christopher R. Cook, Spine surgeon at LOG

Dr. Cook points out that “Although the term "pinched nerve" is commonly used, it refers to a range of conditions that cause nerve compression, such as spinal stenosis or radiculopathy.” Symptoms can vary in intensity, ranging from temporary discomfort to persistent, chronic pain. Most cases of a pinched nerve are treatable with rest, physical therapy, and over-the-counter medications.

Pinched Nerves in the Back

The back is a common area for nerve compression, especially since the spinal cord houses many nerves that branch out to other parts of the body. Here's what you need to know about pinched nerves in the back:

Cervical Radiculopathy (Neck)

When a nerve in the neck is compressed, it leads to cervical radiculopathy. This can happen when a slipped or herniated disc or extra bone growth puts pressure on the nerves that exit the spine. Symptoms often include pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates down the arm, often referred to as a "shooting" pain. You may also feel tingling or a loss of sensation in your fingers or hands.

Thoracic Radiculopathy (Upper and Middle Back)

Although less common, a pinched nerve in the upper or middle back can cause thoracic radiculopathy. This condition occurs when a nerve root in the upper or mid-spine is compressed, leading to pain, stiffness, and sometimes weakness along the rib cage or in the chest. Thoracic radiculopathy can be difficult to diagnose since its symptoms may overlap with other conditions, but it often affects the upper back or abdomen.

Lumbar Radiculopathy (Lower Back)

The most common type of pinched nerve in the back is lumbar radiculopathy, which affects the lower back. This condition is often linked to issues such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease. When the nerves in the lower back are compressed, you may experience symptoms such as lower back pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that radiates down the leg, commonly referred to as sciatica. This can make standing, sitting, or walking painful.

How Is a Pinched Nerve Diagnosed?  

Diagnosing a pinched nerve involves evaluating your symptoms and conducting a thorough physical examination. Your healthcare provider may also recommend additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and identify the cause. Common diagnostic tests include:

• Blood tests: These tests check for underlying issues like high blood sugar or thyroid imbalances that might contribute to nerve problems.  
• Spinal tap (Lumbar Puncture): A sample of cerebrospinal fluid is collected and analyzed for inflammation or infection around the spinal cord.  
• X-rays: Imaging helps identify bone misalignment, narrowing, or damage that could compress a nerve.
• Nerve conduction study: This test measures the speed and strength of electrical impulses in your nerves and muscles, identifying any nerve damage.  
• Electromyography (EMG): By inserting a small needle electrode into muscles, this test assesses electrical activity during rest and contraction, showing nerve or muscle damage.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Detailed imaging detects nerve root compression or other structural issues that might cause a pinched nerve.  
• High-Resolution ultrasound: This non-invasive imaging method is especially useful for diagnosing nerve compression conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.

Each test provides valuable insights, helping your healthcare provider design an effective treatment plan to address your pinched nerve and its underlying causes.

How to Relieve a Pinched Nerve

Dr. Cook notes, “There are several ways to relieve the symptoms of a pinched nerve, depending on the source. Fortunately, at Lancaster Orthopedic Group, we take a collaborative approach to finding the source. Then we can offer an array of treatment options.”

Physical Therapy and Activity Modifications

The first step in treating a pinched nerve is usually physical therapy. A personalized therapy program can help you identify specific movements or positions that might reduce your symptoms. By improving your flexibility and strength, physical therapy aims to relieve the pressure on the affected nerve and help you regain your normal function.

Medications for Pain Relief

You may find relief through anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, which can help manage the pain and swelling caused by the pinched nerve. These medications work by reducing inflammation around the nerve, helping to ease your discomfort.

Corticosteroid Injections

If your pain persists, your doctor might suggest an epidural cortisone injection. This involves injecting a steroid directly into the affected area of your spine to reduce inflammation and provide longer-lasting pain relief.

Minimally Invasive Spinal Decompression

If conservative treatments aren’t enough, you may be a candidate for minimally invasive spinal decompression. This procedure uses small instruments to relieve pressure on the nerve, offering a less invasive option that allows for faster recovery.

Surgical Options

In more severe cases, you may need surgery to relieve the pressure on your nerve. Spinal decompression surgery aims to remove or adjust the part of your spine that’s causing the nerve compression. If there’s significant damage, spinal fusion surgery may be recommended to stabilize your spine. The treatment for a pinched nerve will depend on how severe the condition is and where it’s located. With the right combination of rest, physical therapy, medications, and, if needed, surgery, you can recover fully and return to your normal activities without lasting pain.

Why Choose LOG for Pinched Nerve Treatment?

If you're dealing with a pinched nerve in your back, the team at Lancaster Orthopedic Group (LOG) is here to help. Led by Dr. St. Onge, LOG offers a modern approach to spine care, combining advanced diagnostic tools, physical therapy, and top-tier specialists to manage your pain and get you back to your normal life. Our approach begins with effective non-surgical treatments to alleviate symptoms, including:

• Advanced imaging services, such as our own MRI for accurate diagnosis
• Physical therapy and occupational medicine to promote recovery
• Pain management specialists to provide relief

If surgery becomes necessary, our expert spine surgeons will use the latest techniques to minimize recovery time. With access to our state-of-the-art LOG Surgery Center, you’ll be in excellent hands for both surgery and post-operative care. Don’t let a pinched nerve hold you back—reach out to Lancaster Orthopedic Group and schedule your appointment today!