Electric Shocks and Tingling: Is It Nerve Irritation?

These unusual sensations—often described as tingling, shocks, or electric discharges—can feel unsettling and even alarming. While they might seem serious, they are usually caused by nerve irritation. To help you better understand what’s going on, let’s break this down into three key points.

1. What Causes These Sensations?

Most of the time, the culprit is nerve irritation due to a spinal disc issue. The discs in your spine act as cushions between your vertebrae. However, when a disc becomes inflamed or herniated (bulges out of its normal position), it can press on nearby nerve roots.

The inflammation around the disc increases its size, which in turn irritates or compresses the nerve. This nerve compression sends signals to the brain, creating the sensations of tingling, shooting pain, or even electric-like shocks. These symptoms often travel along the pathway of the affected nerve, which explains why they might be felt in areas like your arm, leg, or back. (1)

2. Inflammation: A Natural Healing Process

It’s important to understand that inflammation, while uncomfortable, is the body’s way of healing. When a disc is affected, inflammation works to repair the damaged tissue. In most cases, this natural process will lead to the disc healing over time.

As the inflammation subsides, the disc will shrink back to its normal size, relieving the pressure on the nerve. This means that the symptoms often diminish or disappear completely. The healing process may take several weeks or even months, but most cases resolve without the need for invasive treatments.

That said, managing inflammation early can significantly speed up recovery. Physiotherapy can play a vital role here by promoting healing and reducing discomfort during this phase.(2)

3. Not All Nerve Irritations Are Disc-Related

While disc issues are a common cause of nerve irritation, they are not the only reason these symptoms occur. Nerve irritation can result from other factors, such as poor posture, repetitive strain, muscular tightness, or even stress. (3)

This is where physiotherapists and osteopaths come in. Through targeted manual therapies, they can release tension, improve nerve mobility, and decompress the affected area. These hands-on techniques are designed to address the root cause of your symptoms, whether they originate from the spine or elsewhere.

By restoring proper movement and function, therapists can help reduce inflammation and, in many cases, eliminate symptoms entirely.

What Should You Do?

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s essential to seek professional care. Ignoring them might prolong your discomfort or lead to further complications. At Studio On, we specialize in diagnosing and treating these issues with evidence-based manual therapies tailored to your unique needs.

Let us help you feel like yourself again. Book a consultation today to take the first step toward recovery!

Studio On. is located in BKK1, Phnom Penh, on Street 302, #20, inside WH Residence. We are easily accessible from anywhere in the city center.

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Studio On is a physiotherapy clinic based in Phnom Penh, focused on movement, recovery, and long-term care. Learn more about what we do and explore our main pages below.

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1. Matsuda M, Huh Y, Ji RR. Roles of inflammation, neurogenic inflammation, and neuroinflammation in pain. J Anesth. 2019 Feb;33(1):131-139. doi: 10.1007/s00540-018-2579-4. Epub 2018 Nov 17. PMID: 30448975; PMCID: PMC6813778.

   
   

2. Ahmad Siraj S, Dadgal R. Physiotherapy for Piriformis Syndrome Using Sciatic Nerve Mobilization and Piriformis Release. Cureus. 2022 Dec 26;14(12):e32952. doi: 10.7759/cureus.32952. PMID: 36712711; PMCID: PMC9879580.