Can a Pinched Nerve Cause Chest Pain?

When chest pain occurs no one usually thinks it could be a pinched nerve. Most thoughts a person often has is the fear of a heart attack. However, there are many different causes for chest pain, including a pinched nerve. One of the most common causes of chest pain can be a pinched nerve occurring in the middle or upper spine. These thoracic spinal nerves may be compressed either by a muscle spasm, a bone spur formation, or a herniated disc among other conditions. A herniated spinal disc will often result in a pinched nerve. When chest pain is being caused by a pinched nerve it often affects the sensory or autonomic nerve fibers. When sensory nerves are being compressed in can also cause pain in the back or the area which is served by the nerve. Compressed autonomic nerves can cause a reduction in the nerve signal reaching any of the organs served by that nerve. If the nerve goes to the heart or lungs, very serious health complications may occur.

A condition called spinal stenosis which is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses spinal nerves can also increases the risk of pinched nerve symptoms. Do you have a repetitive job? Doing repetitive work, such as assembly line work, you will find can often be responsible for pinched nerves. Other conditions like poor posture and obesity will put extra pressure on your spinal cord which is going to increase your risk of a pinched nerve occurring. Any of these conditions leading to a pinched nerve could be the cause of your chest pain.

Symptoms that indicate a pinched nerve as the cause of your chest pain are sharp chest pains that radiate to other parts of your body. The pain has also been described as a burning sensation in the chest and can even worsen during coughing or sneezing. In addition the chest pain you may also notice a numbness in the tissue controlled by the nerve. You may feel the sensation often described as pins and needles which is in many cases associated with pinched nerve symptoms. This is the same sensation you will feel when a body part temporarily will "fall asleep" which is usually caused by a body position that causes a compression to a nerve. When you are trying to fall asleep you may notice that your chest pain or other pinched nerve symptoms will worsen.

While painful, the chest pain which is caused by a pinched nerved is often not serious unless the nerve affected concerns the heart or lungs. Since the symptoms of chest pain caused by a pinched nerve will often mimic the symptoms of a heart attack it is important to seek medical attention if your pain lasts for more than 5 minutes. The most frequent treatment for a pinched nerve is simply rest accompanied by non-steroid anti-inflammatory that will help to relieve the chest pain and muscle inflammation. For preventive treatment it is important to maintain a healthy weight as well as being mindful of proper posture.

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