Can a Pinched Nerve Cause Chest Pain?

Pinched Nerve Cause Chest PainIt is a widely accepted theory that a pinched nerve cause chest pain. These pinched nerves occur when exceeding amounts of pressure applied to surrounding bones, cartilage, tendons or muscles is applied to the nerve. Pinched nerves that are generally found in the neck or lower back can often be caused by a herniated disc, arthritis, spinal stenosis or bone spurs. Pinched nerves in the lower back or buttocks can compress the sciatic nerve resulting in sciatica. The pressure to the nerve can be known to cause pain, weakness, tingling or numbness.

You may be at risk of experiencing a pinched nerve if you have poor posture. Poor posture can add pressure to the spine and nerves as the spine attempts to continue to work as a balancing center despite lack of assistance from your posture. Women are also more likely to experience pinched nerves especially in the case of carpal tunnel syndrome. If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis the inflammation caused by the condition can compress (thus pinch) nerves in your joints. Bone spurs, which can be caused by trauma, osteoarthritis or other bone thickening conditions, can narrow the space where nerves travel or stiffen the spine which can pinch nerves. Those that are obese are also at greater risk of pinched nerves. Obesity adds pressure to nerves. The weight gain that can be associated with pregnancy also may pinch nerves as nerve pathways tend to swell due to the excess water and weight. It has been found in comes cases that pinched nerves can also be hereditary.

Pinched nerves that  cause chest pain are usually associated with nerves that are located mid and upper spine. Nerves in the spine may become compressed due to spinal stenosis, herniated disc, and bone spurs. When the chest is affected by the pinched nerves in the spine it is most commonly due to sensory nerve fibers. If these nerve fibers serve both the chest and the back, pain can result in both areas, often simultaneously. If a nerve is pinched it can affect the nerves ability to reach vital organs of the body that the nerve serves. This mishap can often result in a sharp or lingering pain. Some have even referred to the pain in the chest to have a burning sensation in these instances.

If you are experiencing a pinched nerve there are a few things you can do. Try getting a massage to ease the tension and relax the affected area. Massages have been known to be very effective in treating most issues with the chest and back, so give it a try.

The Healthy Back Institute also recommends inversion therapy as treatment for pinched nerve. Inversion therapy realigns the spine and surrounding areas which can reduce nerve pressure.

Acupuncture is another method used to treat pinched nerves. Acupuncture has recently been scientifically proven to relieve pain and is low risk.

You may also want to take an anti-inflammatory ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation in affected area. If these treatments do not improve your pain of symptoms you may want to consult a physician.

Click HERE to read more on Pinched Nerves and Chest Pain.

Filed Under: Chest Pain
Written By:  Updated:
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Jesse Cannone, CFT, CPRS, MFT

Jesse is the co-founder and visionary CEO of The Healthy Back Institute®, the world-leading source of natural back pain solutions. His mission as a former back pain sufferer is to help others live pain free without surgery and pharmaceuticals.

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10 thoughts on “Can a Pinched Nerve Cause Chest Pain?”

  1. Ella van der berg says:

    Disk desease

  2. Tom Ernest says:

    Hello, thanks for this comprehensive and helpful information. I was involved in an auto accident in 2013, since then I have been having chest pain often times, sometimes and other symptoms including dizziness oftentimes, ringing in the ear all the time for 4yrs and some months now , often times pounding heart beat, fast heart rate not too often, feeling my heart beat all the time for 4yrs and some months now. and all manner of psychology anxiety symptoms, like feeling something doom is going to happen to me or I will have a heart attack the next seconds…. I hard a pinched nerve when I had the accident that’s the genesis of all the symptoms… I would give you a call soon next. However I would appreciate if you indicate that you see this comment when you do. There are whole lot of medical treatment I have under good so far. And recently, I’m on amega 3.6.9 3000mg by Puritans pride. I need a better solution to put a final stop to the whole bunch of the problems. Permit me to tell you that doctors in my country do not know all these “pinched never symptoms” so it was difficult to believe them when they generalise the symptoms with anxiety disorder. You responce will be very helpful.
    Thanks in advance.

    1. Tony Hernandez says:

      I think I have the same thought I was having a heart attack went to the emergency room like 2 times and all they said was that i was good my heart was ok i went to a chiropractor and he showed me my exrays and i had a pinched nerve and it was causing that pain like if i was having a heart attack

      1. Susan Sherburne says:

        My husband had the same problem, he went to the chiropractor and was told he had intercostal radiculitis . It was a rib that was out in his back and it was pinching a nerve that stretched around his chest and making it feel like he was having a heart attack a very scary experience.

  3. Troy says:

    I am having same as above been to doc.say I have compression of spine .still freaks me out though with chest pain .any solutions

    1. Admin says:

      Hi Troy,
      Thank you for sharing and we would like to help. We believe education is key to addressing back pain issues and would suggest you please get yourself a copy of our book the “7 Day Back Pain Cure”.

      The book discusses back pain issues and related conditions, pain relief methods to try, treatment options for you to consider, pain relief action plans and other helpful information related to back pain.

      Please read more details about the 7 Day Back Pain Cure book via the link below

      https://losethebackpain.com/products/7-day-back-pain-cure-book

      Our Best Wishes
      Admin (The Healthy Back Institute)

    2. John mills says:

      My wife is having the same symptoms. Is there a cure or fix outside of surgery. There is doctor talk of sending her to mayo clinic.
      Any info would be helpful.

  4. Derek says:

    For the past week I’ve gone through different levels/ spots of pain. To summarize, I’ve had pain near my shoulder blade, chest, neck and recently my jaw line and ear drum. If I take a deep breathe I can feel the sharp pain in my ear. I’ve taken ibuprofen, rubbed on icy hot, heat and ice treatments.. at this point I’m wondering if it’s really a pinched nerve and, if so, what should I do?

    1. Admin says:

      HI Derek,

      Thank you for explaining your pain. We would suggest you get yourself a copy of our book the “7 Day Back Pain Cure”. The book discusses back pain issues and related conditions, pain relief methods to try, various treatment options you can consider, pain relief action plans and other helpful information.

      Please read more details and information about the 7 Day Back Pain Cure book via the link below

      https://losethebackpain.com/products/7-day-back-pain-cure-book

      Our Best Wishes
      Admin (The Healthy Back Institute)

  5. MIKE says:

    I have been experiencing the same symptoms for a number of years now just like Derek has ,Doctors have to me time and time again its acid reflux but I knew that was a bunch of bull, I have always told them its a damaged or pinched nerve in my c5 to c7 cause that’s where I have narrowing and also middle of shoulder blades where Im experiencing pain and discomfort, physio hasn’t been the answer for me at all after 4 different ones, looking to see a nuraligest for help with this problem

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