The short version
- Spinal nerve pain (radiculopathy) comes from pressure on a nerve root where it exits the spine.
- It can occur in the neck (radiating to the arm) or lower back (radiating to the leg, as in sciatica).
- Common causes are herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and arthritis of the spine.
- Most cases respond to conservative care and targeted injections; some benefit from minimally invasive procedures.
What spinal nerve pain is
Nerve roots branch off the spinal cord and travel out between the vertebrae to reach the rest of your body. When one of those roots is compressed or inflamed, you feel it along that nerve’s path — not just at the spine. That’s radiculopathy, and the symptoms often include shooting pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness that tracks down an arm or a leg and can worsen with certain movements.
Where you feel it depends on which nerve root is affected: a pinched nerve in the neck sends symptoms into the shoulder and arm (cervical radiculopathy), while one in the lower back sends them into the buttock and leg (lumbar radiculopathy, commonly experienced as sciatica).
Common causes
- Herniated disc — disc material pressing directly on a nerve root
- Spinal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal or the openings where nerves exit
- Spinal arthritis and bone spurs — degenerative changes that crowd the nerve
- Degenerative disc disease — disc wear that reduces the space around the nerve
How we treat spinal nerve pain — step by step
We identify the specific nerve and source, then match treatment to it:
- Conservative care — physical therapy, activity changes, and medication settle many cases.
- Epidural steroid injection — an epidural steroid injection reduces inflammation around the irritated nerve root, whether in the neck or lower back.
- Facet-related treatment — when arthritic joints contribute, a facet joint injection and, if confirmed, radiofrequency ablation can help.
- Minimally invasive procedures — endoscopic discectomy for a herniated disc, or the MILD procedure for stenosis.
- Advanced options — for persistent, hard-to-treat nerve pain, neuromodulation such as a spinal cord stimulator may be considered.
Our approach: Radiculopathy has many possible sources, so the right treatment depends entirely on an accurate diagnosis. Most people improve without surgery, and we advance only as far up the ladder as your situation genuinely calls for.
Seek urgent care if: nerve pain comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin, or rapidly worsening weakness in an arm or leg. These warrant emergency evaluation.
Related conditions
Spinal nerve pain overlaps with sciatica (its lower-back, leg-radiating form), back pain, and neck pain. If your pain is from nerve damage rather than compression, see our peripheral nerve pain page.
Why patients across Long Island and North Jersey choose Empire
We’re a local pain and spine practice, so your evaluation, treatment, and follow-up all happen close to home with the same team.
- New York: Plainview, New Hyde Park, and Ronkonkoma — across Nassau and Suffolk
- New Jersey: Clifton, Montville, and Plainfield — serving Passaic, Morris, and Union County communities
- Interventional pain management and spine care under one roof
- The full range of options, from injections to neuromodulation
Insurance
Coverage varies by plan and by location, and we accept many major insurance plans across our New York and New Jersey offices. The simplest way to know exactly what your plan covers is to call — our team will verify your benefits before your visit, so there are no surprises. Whether you’re on Long Island or in North Jersey, reach out and we’ll walk you through your options.
Frequently asked questions
What does spinal nerve pain feel like?
Usually a shooting or burning pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that travels along the nerve’s path — into an arm or a leg — rather than staying at the spine. It often worsens with certain positions or movements.
Is radiculopathy the same as a pinched nerve?
Essentially, yes. Radiculopathy is the medical term for the symptoms caused by a pinched or irritated spinal nerve root.
Can it be treated without surgery?
Most cases can. Conservative care and targeted injections resolve the majority of radiculopathy. Minimally invasive procedures are reserved for cases that don’t respond.
How is the affected nerve identified?
Through your symptom pattern, a physical exam, and imaging such as MRI. Sometimes a diagnostic injection helps confirm which nerve is the source.
How long does it take to improve?
Many people improve over a few weeks with the right treatment. Persistent or worsening symptoms — especially weakness — should be evaluated promptly.
When should I worry?
Loss of bladder or bowel control, groin numbness, or rapidly worsening limb weakness are red flags that need emergency care.
Shooting nerve pain down an arm or leg?
Our pain and spine specialists see patients across Long Island, NY and northern New Jersey. We’ll identify the pinched nerve and start you on the least invasive treatment that works.
New York: 516-229-1443 | New Jersey: 732-630-7246
Pain treatments are covered by most major medical insurances including Medicare, Workers Comp, No Fault & Others.
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Meet Our Pain Management & Orthopedic Specialists
Dr. Monica Misak
Interventional Pain Specialist
Dr. James Yu, D.O.
Board Certified Anesthesiologist
Board Certified Interventional
Pain Management Physician
Dylan J. O'Rourke
Certified Physician Assistant
Pain Conditions Affecting Daily Life
Improve your quality of life with our comprehensive approach to pain management
We are dedicated to finding individualized treatment options tailored to fit your needs. Our team is dedicated to helping you lead a productive and active life, free from pain and disruption.
We use an integrative approach to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and assess your condition.
Physical examination and review of your medical history. We assess the cause of your pain, determine its severity and duration, and help you develop an individualized treatment plan.
We provide a range of treatments and procedures to address your chronic pain. These include nerve blocks, injections, physical therapy, implantable therapies and more. We also offer health education to help you better manage your condition.