Signs of a Pinched Nerve

If a pinched nerve is causing your shoulder pain, you’ll need a thorough physical exam of your neck and shoulder to diagnose the problem. However, there are signs that may help steer you and your doctor in the right direction. A pinched nerve usually causes pain in one shoulder only. It’s also typically a sharp pain, as opposed to a dull ache or a strain that you might feel if you overworked your muscles.

For many people, a slightly pinched nerve causes no pain or discomfort. For others, the symptoms can include pain, numbness, and general weakness in the shoulder.

Pain may also worsen if you turn your head. Neck pain and headaches in the back of your head are also signs that the cause of all this discomfort is a pinched nerve.
A pinched nerve may also leave you with a feeling of “pins and needles” in your shoulder. The joint may also feel numb or weak when you try to lift something. In some cases, symptoms extend from the shoulder down the arm to the hand.