How Obesity Can Cause Pinched Nerves

Pinched nerves are a common problem among adults of all ages. Your nerves transmit sensations from your body to your brain, and when a nerve gets pinched, you can suffer pain, numbness, and weakness in various parts of your body.

Injury, arthritis, and a range of other issues can contribute to pinched nerves — and one common cause often overlooked is obesity. Your body weight affects your nerves, and excess weight could be the source of your nerve pain.

Neurosurgeon David A. Wiles, MD, is ready to help. He specializes in diagnosing and treating pinched nerves, and his comprehensive approach can deliver some much-needed pain relief.

Here, we discuss what you need to know about the relationship between obesity and pinched nerves and how treatment can make a difference for your quality of life.

The connection between weight and nerves

Obesity is having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Being obese can strain various body systems, including your musculoskeletal system.

Carrying excess weight may increase the pressure on your nerves, especially in areas where your body's natural anatomical structures narrow the spaces around your nerves. Because everyone’s body composition is unique, it’s important to get a professional evaluation to determine if your weight could be contributing to your nerve condition.

Common locations for pinched nerves

Some nerves are more likely to get pinched than others, based on their location in your body. The most common spots for pinched nerves are in your spine, wrist, or leg. Symptoms can vary depending on the affected nerves, but often include pain, tingling, and a feeling of weakness.

Excess weight can add pressure on your spinal nerves, causing pinched nerves in your back or neck. You might develop a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or radiculopathy. 

Obesity can also contribute to peripheral nerve compression, especially in wrists and lower extremities. A pinched nerve in your wrist could be carpal tunnel syndrome, and conditions like tarsal tunnel syndrome and meralgia paresthetica can affect your legs.

Your pinched nerve treatment options

If your body weight contributes to pinched nerves, Dr. Wiles and our team can recommend a holistic treatment plan to address obesity and manage your symptoms.

Eating a balanced diet and regular exercise are two of the best ways to achieve sustainable weight loss. Depending on your situation, we may also recommend additional treatments to alleviate your pinched nerve symptoms, like:

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is a popular and effective treatment option for pinched nerves. Your therapist works with you to develop a customized exercise program that helps relieve pain and improve mobility.

Along with exercises and stretches, we may incorporate manual therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation. We monitor your progress to ensure you’re seeing improvements in strength, flexibility, and pain levels.

Splinting or bracing

Some pinched nerves benefit from splinting or bracing, especially during periods of rest or sleep. For example, wearing a wrist splint at night provides support and immobilization for carpal tunnel syndrome, and it can effectively relieve your symptoms over time.

Medication

If you need quick relief, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce inflammation and pain from pinched nerves. However, talk with Dr. Wiles and our team before using any medication to determine the best medicine and dosage for your needs.

Steroid injections

In more severe cases, Dr. Wiles may prescribe corticosteroid injections. He makes these injections directly around the affected nerve area to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. However, steroid injections have potential side effects, so we often recommend them as a short-term solution only.

Radiofrequency ablation

If conservative treatments fail to provide relief, it might be time to consider a more advanced pinched nerve treatment. We offer radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive procedure, to block pain signals from specific nerves and relieve discomfort.

Obesity can contribute to pinched nerves, but it’s far from the only factor. To get a diagnosis and personalized care plan, schedule a consultation with Dr. Wiles and our team in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We serve people in Chattanooga, Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City, and we’re here for you.

Call us at 423-459-9800 or request an appointment online today to get started.