Nerve compression, often referred to as a pinched nerve, occurs when surrounding tissues—such as bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons—apply too much pressure on a nerve. This pressure disrupts the nerve’s function, causing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness along the nerve pathway.

Nerve compression can happen at various points in the body but is most common in the neck (cervical spine), lower back (lumbar spine), wrist (carpal tunnel), and elbow (cubital tunnel).