A pinched nerve typically causes pain, numbness, tingling or weakness that follows the path of that nerve rather than sitting in one spot. Neck compression sends symptoms down the arm; lower back compression sends them down the leg. Certain movements often reproduce it.
A pinched nerve typically causes pain, numbness, tingling or weakness that follows the path of that nerve rather than sitting in one spot. Neck compression sends symptoms down the arm; lower back compression sends them down the leg. Certain movements often reproduce it.
Compressed nerves produce symptoms along a defined path, because each nerve root supplies a predictable strip of skin and set of muscles. Pain radiating from the neck into the shoulder, arm and specific fingers suggests a cervical root. Pain from the lower back into the buttock and down the leg suggests a lumbar root. Symptoms confined to one small area, or spread diffusely over both hands and feet, suggest something other than a single pinched nerve.
Specific movements often reproduce or relieve it. Extending or turning the neck may worsen arm symptoms; bending forward or sitting may worsen leg symptoms. Coughing or sneezing frequently sends a jolt along the path when a nerve root is involved. There may be weakness in the muscles that nerve supplies, and reflexes may be reduced. Numbness following a specific strip rather than a whole hand or foot is characteristic.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, a cervical nerve root problem and a generalised peripheral neuropathy all produce hand symptoms and are treated entirely differently. Nerve conduction studies with electromyography establish which is which, and grade severity. Both CNS offices perform and interpret those studies on site. Imaging shows structure but not function, so a disc bulge on a scan does not by itself prove it is causing your symptoms.
Clinical Neurology Specialists has been physician-owned since 1998, when Leo Germin, M.D., FAANEM founded it. Five board-certified neurologists and four advanced practice providers see patients at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices, each with its own AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratory.
Clinical Neurology Specialists is an adult outpatient neurology practice for patients 18 and older. The practice performs no surgery and operates no imaging suite, infusion suite or interventional pain programme, and provides no emergency or inpatient care.
Physician-reviewed. Reviewed by the physicians of Clinical Neurology Specialists — board-certified neurologists, AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratories, physician-owned since 1998. Reviewed 1 August 2026. This article is general education for adults 18 and older and is not a substitute for a consultation.
Adults 18 and older, at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices. Call 702-804-1212 or request an appointment online.