PINCHED NERVE

A pinched nerve occurs when surrounding tissues such as bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons place excessive pressure on a nerve. This compression may lead to pain, numbness, tingling sensations, or muscle weakness. In Singapore, pinched nerve conditions commonly arise outside the spine and are distinct from spinal nerve compression, which is addressed separately under slipped disc or bone spur conditions.

Pinched nerve conditions can affect various parts of the body and often interfere with daily activities, work performance, and sleep.

At Singapore Paincare, our specialists provide minimally-invasive treatments that relieve pain safely and effectively—offering an alternative to long-term medication or surgery, often with little to no downtime. Our goal is to help you get back to your daily life with comfort and confidence.

What are the causes of Pinched Nerve?

Pinched nerve conditions can develop due to several underlying factors. These causes increase pressure on nerves and disrupt normal nerve function.

Obesity

Excess body weight increases pressure on the body’s nerves, particularly in the lower extremities and back, which can lead to compression.

Pregnancy

Hormonal changes and fluid retention cause swelling that can compress peripheral nerves, especially in the wrists and legs.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This condition causes inflammation and swelling in the joints, and this inflamed tissue can press directly on nearby nerves.

Diabetes

High blood sugar levels can damage nerve structures over time, making them more susceptible to injury and compression from surrounding tissues.

Injury or Trauma

A direct blow, fall, or accident can cause swelling and displacement of tissue, immediately compressing the nerve.

Repetitive Motions

Frequent, repeated movements lead to inflammation and swelling of tendons and muscles, which then put strain on the adjacent nerves (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome).

What are the Common Types of Pinched Nerves?

Pinched nerves can affect different areas of the body, depending on where pressure builds up:

Shoulder and Neck

Tight muscle bands outside the spine can irritate nerves, leading to stiffness, shoulder pain, or pain that spreads outward.

Upper Back and Chest

Nerves compressed by muscle tension may cause aching or sharp pain across the upper back or chest wall.

Arm and Elbow

Ulnar nerve compression can result in arm discomfort, weakness, or altered sensation.

Hand and Wrist

Wrist nerve compression may affect grip strength, finger sensation, and hand coordination.

What are the Symptoms of Pinched Nerve?

Pinched nerve symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe, daily limitations. If your pain persists, worsens, or comes with numbness, tingling, or weakness, it's best to have it assessed by a pinched nerve specialist.

Pain: Patients often experience a sharp pain or a dull ache in the affected area.
Muscle Weakness: There may be noticeable muscle weakness around the location of the pinched nerve.
Other Sensations: Many patients also report numbness and a tingling sensation where the nerve compression is.

If left unaddressed, these symptoms can worsen and significantly impact daily activities and quality of life.

What Are the Options for Pinched Nerve treatment in Singapore?

Conservative Treatments

If your pinched nerve symptoms are mild or moderate, conservative treatments may help.

Physical Therapy: The therapy sessions by our physiotherapists involve resistance training to reduce pain. It also consists of stretching exercises to increase the motion of the joint and minimize the loss of muscle. However, the intensity and type of exercise may differ based on the conditions of the patient.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs may be prescribed to help minimize pain and swelling.
Splints and Cervical Collar: Splints or cervical collars (hand, arm, neck area) may be recommended to limit the motion to help with the healing. Hand braces may be helpful with splints and immobilisation of the wrist or finger joints to allow for rest and healing.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

If your nerve compression has been persistent or more severe, minimally invasive treatments can address the real source without the need for open surgery.

Coreflex Injection

Uses a mix of local anaesthetic, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxants, which helps to break the pain cycle, reduce inflammation, and improve healing.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is rarely needed for pinched nerve conditions. It carries risks and recovery time, and may not always provide complete relief. Careful evaluation of non-surgical options is usually recommended first.

How Singapore Paincare Treats Pinched Nerve?

At Singapore Paincare, our pain specialists use the proprietary Painostic® method, developed from years of clinical experience. This in-house approach goes beyond standard assessment to identify the real source of nerve compression responsible for your pinched nerve symptoms and map treatment pathways tailored specifically to your condition.

We focus on the least invasive options first, including targeted injections and minimally invasive procedures, often supported by medication and physical or cognitive rehabilitation. Even in complex or persistent pinched nerve cases, this integrated approach helps relieve pain, improve mobility and reduce the risk of recurrence.

How to Prevent Pinched Nerve?

While it may not be possible to fully protect yourself from accidents that could cause a pinched nerve, incorporating these strategies can help lower the risk of pinched nerves:

Keep a good posture.
Take breaks from doing repetitive motions.
Avoid sitting or staying in the same position for too long.
Maintain a healthy weight.

A Message About Pinched Nerve from Our Pain Specialist

Pinched nerve symptoms can feel alarming—especially when pain, numbness, or weakness starts affecting how you move or rest. Many people worry that surgery is inevitable. In reality, when the real source of nerve compression is identified, most pinched nerve conditions can be managed effectively without surgery.

At Singapore Paincare, our Painostic® method goes beyond treating symptoms. We identify the real source of discomfort and build an individualised, minimally invasive plan—so you can move comfortably and confidently again.