Radiculopathy, or a pinched nerve in the spine, can lead to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including pain, weakness, and numbness.

The spine is a stacked structure made up of 33 bones or vertebrae, which protect the spinal cord from injury or trauma.

The bones of the spine allow a person to stay upright, bend, and twist. They are held in place by a network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Nerves extend from the spine to other areas of the body, such as the arms and legs as well and including the various organs.

The spine curves in an S-shape, which is vital for spinal health. These curves are responsible for shock absorption, balance, and a range of movements.

Each region of the spine has a specific name and function.

These regions are:

• cervical spine or neck
• thoracic spine or mid back
• lumbar spine or lower back
• sacrum, connecting the spine to the hips
• coccyx or tail bone

Each vertebra is cushioned from its neighbor by an intervertebral disc. This protects the vertebrae from rubbing on top of each other.

When injuries occur, these intervertebral discs can become damaged and cause compression or irritation of a nearby nerve root. Depending on which nerve is compressed, a person can experience pain in a variety of locations throughout the body.

People can develop radiculopathy as the result of an injury, or it may occur for no apparent reason. Those individuals aged 30 to 50 years old are most likely to experience radiculopathy, in the cervical and lumbar spine areas.