
What Is A Trapped / Pinched Nerve And How Can Physio Help?
How can physiotherapy treat and help people with trapped or pinched nerves?
- Diagnosis of the problem to identify the source of the problem and customise treatment for your problem.
- Hands on treatment to relieve muscle spasm and pain, which helps to relieve the mechanical squeezing on the nerve.
- Mobilisation of the spine joints to restore movement and to relieve pressure on the nerve.
- Mobilisations of the nerves or “flossing the nerve” to free and release the trapped or pinched nerve.
- Acupuncture for pain relief and to reduce muscle spasm.
- Exercises to relieve pain, reduce stiffness and regain mobility.
- Strengthening to improve the body’s natural support muscles around the pinched nerve area.
- Advice about ergonomics including do’s and don’ts.
- Sharing of realistic time frames for expected recovery.
Nerve tissue is one of the most sensitive tissues in the body. When nerves get irritated by surrounding tissues like joints, muscles or discs, the nerve being irritated can become painful causing referred pain and is often called a “trapped nerve” or a “pinched nerve”. Often the nerve is not “actually” pinched nor trapped- these simply common ways people understand the situation. When nerves gets irritated mechanically- a bio-chemical response around the nerve can create a very painful, noxious, burning sensation along the nerve and surrounding the nerve.
Where Can Nerves Get Pinched?
Nerves most commonly get irritated / pinched in the spine- usually around the neck, and the lower back (the upper back too- but this is less common).
Other common places for pinched / irritated nerves are at the elbow (ulna nerve neuritis), the wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome), the shin (compartment syndrome) and foot (morton’s neuroma), but there are many other places where nerves get trapped.
“Sciatica” is an example of nerve irritation in the lower back which causes pain to run down or shoot down the leg.

Sciatica usually only causes pain going down one side of the body and may or may not radiate below the knee. Sciatica can present with back pain, but on occasion can simply be pain or pins and needles in the leg. Symptoms can be experienced into the buttock and back of the thigh, into the knee and calf or even as far down as the foot.
How Do I Know If I Have A Pinched Nerve?
What Are The Symptoms Of A Trapped Nerve?
- Referred pain / tingling / numbness / change of sensation along the nerve distribution (in the leg or arm for example).
- Weakness in muscles that are supplied by the trapped nerve.
- Often a radiating / shooting / referred pain- on the side of the nerve irritation.
- Along with radiating / referred pain- there is usually pain at the site of the nerve irritation (eg. pain in the neck – with the referred pain down the arm).
- Usually certain movements or activities will aggravate the symptoms- which may indicate a mechanical type problem.
- Usually certain movements help provide relief- another indication that the problem may be mechanical.

When Should I Seek Professional Medical Help For A Trapped Nerve?
- If you need help with pain relief.
- If you have difficulty with mobility as a result of the trapped nerve.
- If you are struggling to sleep because of the pain.
- If you have loss of sensation in an area of the body (particularly concerning is loss of sensation around the genital or anal areas).
- If you have a sudden loss of power / strength.
- If you have loss of normal bodily function (or significant impairment) – eg you are unable to empty your bladder or control your bowels.
- If you loose your appetite.
- If you experience rapid, unexplained weight loss.
- If you would like help to recover more rapidly.
- If you want to do as much as you can to help yourself.
- If you want to prevent the problem from recurring once it has resolved.
Should I Go To A&E About A Trapped Nerve?
Most trapped nerves or pinched nerves are very painful- luckily they are not usually very serious.
In rare circumstances there is a need to attend A&E as an emergency. If one experiences new onset of any of the following symptoms- one should attend A&E as an emergency:
- Extreme pain that you are unable to control.
- Loss of feeling / pins and needles between your inner thighs or genitals.
- Sudden loss of mobility.
- Sudden loss of bodily functions (eg inability to control your bladder or bowel).
- Numbness in and around your back passage, buttocks or genital areas.
- Altered feeling when using toilet paper to wipe yourself
- Increasing difficulty when you try to urinate
- Increasing difficulty when your try to stop or control your flow of urine
- Loss of sensation when you pass urine
- Leaking urine, or a recent need to use pads
- Not knowing when your bladder is either full or empty
- Inability to stop bowel movement or leaking
- Loss of sensation when you pass a bowel motion
- Change in ability to achieve and erection or ejaculate
- Loss of sensation in genitals during sexual intercourse
Luckily these symptoms are extremely rare.
If you need relief and help with a trapped nerve- ring us now on 020 82017788 so that you can start your recovery.
Expert Physiotherapy in London – BOOST PHYSIO
At BOOST PHYSIO, we are committed to helping you recover faster and get back to doing what you love. Our expert physiotherapists provide tailored treatment plans designed to address your specific injury or condition, ensuring the best possible recovery.
Why Choose BOOST PHYSIO?
✅ 9 Convenient Clinic Locations Across London
We are a leading private physiotherapy provider with 9 High Street physiotherapy clinics across North and North West London, offering top-quality treatment for muscle and joint injuries, sports rehabilitation, and post-surgery recovery.
✅ Specialist Physiotherapy for All Conditions
Our experienced physiotherapists specialise in treating:
Sports injuries
Neck and back pain
Knee pain and joint issues
Post-surgery rehabilitation (e.g., ACL reconstruction, knee replacement)
Mobility and movement difficulties
Where to Find Us
BOOST PHYSIO clinics are conveniently located in:
📍 North London & North West London:
Mill Hill NW7
Elstree WD6
Swiss Cottage NW3
Hampstead NW3
Hendon NW4
East Finchley N2
Muswell Hill N10
Borehamwood WD6
Kensington High Street W8
We also provide physiotherapy to patients from Hendon NW4, Cricklewood NW2, Hampstead NW3, Belsize Park NW3, Kilburn NW6, Queen’s Park, Finchley Road, Golders Green NW11, Swiss Cottage, Willesden Green NW10, Fortis Green, Crouch End, Muswell Hill N10, Southgate, Wood Green N22, and Highgate N6.
At our Elstree and Borehamwood WD6 clinic, we treat residents from Stanmore HA7, Edgware HA8, Bushey WD23, Radlett WD23, and Aldenham.
Same-Day Physiotherapy Appointments – Including Weekends
⏰ Appointments available from 8 AM to 9 PM, including weekends and emergency physiotherapy sessions on Saturdays and Sundays.
Book Your Physiotherapy Appointment Today
Don’t let pain hold you back! Get expert physiotherapy treatment today and start your journey to recovery.