Pinched Nerve vs. Pulled Muscle: What's the Difference?

Pinched nerves and pulled muscles are two common sources of pain. However, these conditions require different treatments to prevent more serious complications.

At AABP Integrative Pain Care, we offer in-office diagnostic testing to accurately identify the source of your pain so you can get the best possible treatment.

Our board-certified pain management specialists have extensive experience using minimally invasive, nonsurgical treatments to ease persistent pain. They can also address the root cause of your pain so you can heal more efficiently.

Differences between pinched nerves and pulled muscles

You have more than 600 muscles throughout your body that work together to help you breathe, digest food, and be physically active. Muscles are also responsible for holding your organs in place.

A pulled muscle (muscle strain) occurs when you stretch a muscle too far, which can also cause a partial or complete tear in the tissue. You can pull a muscle during a single awkward movement or over an extended period of time, engaging in repetitive movements.

Pinched nerves affect the clusters of cells that transmit electrical signals from your brain to the rest of your body. Nerves provide information that helps your muscles move and allows you to feel sensations like touch and pain.

A pinched nerve can develop when nearby bone or soft tissue compresses the nerve and prevents it from functioning properly. Common causes of a pinched nerve include bone spurs, arthritic joints, chronic inflammation, and herniated spinal discs.

Pinched nerve pain versus pulled muscle pain

Both pinched nerves and pulled muscles cause pain that worsens with activity. These conditions can also interfere with your mobility, especially if the affected nerves or muscles reside in the lower half of your body. However, the type of pain you experience with a pulled muscle differs from the symptoms of a pinched nerve.

Pulled muscle pain tends to feel like a dull ache that stays local to the injured area. Pain may go away with home care strategies like rest, heat or ice therapy, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories.

Nerve pain is typically more intense. You might feel sharp pains or a burning sensation around the compressed nerve. Pain can also radiate out into other parts of your body. If a pinched nerve remains untreated, you might also develop symptoms like tingling, weakness, and numbness anywhere along the path of the nerve.

Know your treatment options for pinched nerves and pulled muscles

When rest and other home remedies aren’t enough to relieve the pain of a pinched nerve or pulled muscle, our team at AABP Integrative Pain Care can help. We focus on the least invasive treatments to support your healing so you can enjoy long-lasting pain relief.

Pulled muscles typically heal in a few weeks with the R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation) method. Our providers may also recommend bracing the affected area when possible to prevent unnecessary movements. If you have a partial or complete muscle tear, they discuss whether or not you need physical therapy or surgery to help tissues heal fully.

Treatment for a pinched nerve may involve prescription pain relievers or muscle relaxers to lessen nerve-related pain. We might also suggest corticosteroid injections or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to alleviate inflammation surrounding the compressed nerve.

Gentle exercises are also effective in your recovery from a pinched nerve or pulled muscle. Our team can recommend safe exercises you can do at home to restore your musculoskeletal health.

Call AABP Integrative Pain Care in Brooklyn or Garden City, New York, today to schedule an evaluation for symptoms of a pinched nerve or pulled muscle. You can also book an appointment online.