Common Nerve Entrapment Sites and Symptoms
Nerve entrapment can occur anywhere a nerve passes through a narrow opening or around a joint. Here are the most common sites we treat at KC-Physio and the signs that indicate a nerve is being compressed:

1. The Wrist: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This is perhaps the most well-known entrapment, occurring when the median nerve is squeezed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist.

Symptoms: Numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. You might feel a "shocks" sensation or notice you are dropping objects due to thumb weakness. Symptoms are often worse at night.

2. The Elbow: Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
This involves the ulnar nerve (often called the "funny bone" nerve) getting trapped at the inner side of the elbow.

Symptoms: A "pins and needles" sensation or numbness specifically in the ring finger and pinky finger. You may experience aching on the inside of the elbow or find it difficult to perform fine motor tasks, like buttoning a shirt or playing an instrument.

3. The Shoulder & Neck: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)
In this condition, the brachial plexus (a bundle of nerves traveling from the neck to the arm) is compressed in the space between your collarbone and your first rib.

Symptoms: Pain in the neck and shoulder that radiates down the arm. You might experience a heavy or tired feeling in the arm, or even "dead arm" sensations when reaching overhead or carrying heavy bags.

4. The Hip & Thigh: Meralgia Paresthetica
This occurs when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve—which provides sensation to the surface of your outer thigh—becomes compressed, often by tight clothing or prolonged sitting.

Symptoms: Tingling, numbness, and burning pain on the outer part of your thigh. Unlike sciatica, this typically does not travel below the knee or cause muscle weakness.

How We Help?
At KC-Physio, our goal is to identify exactly where the "snag" is located along the nerve's path. We use a combination of physical tests and nerve tension tests to confirm the diagnosis. Once identified, we use manual therapy to create space in the affected tunnel and prescribe specific neurodynamic exercises to help the nerve slide and glide comfortably again.