pinched nerve

What Is A Pinched Nerve? Nerve tissue is one of the most sensitive tissue in the body. If nerves get irritated by surrounding tissues like joints, muscles or discs, this nerve can become painful causing referred pain and is often called a "trapped nerve" or a "pinched nerve". Nerves most commonly get irritated / pinched in the spine around the neck, and the lower back (the upper back too- but this is less common).