Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

ThatOtherGuy_CA t1_j470iwd wrote

Reply to comment by _AlreadyTaken_ in When nerve damage occurs, where is the pain perceived? at the site of damage or at the end of the nerve? by menooby

Seems like an evolutionary side effect that would normally be beneficial. Pinching a nerve for a prolonged time isn’t good, so when your brain loses feeling to an area it gives you pain signals to trigger you into moving, so that you don’t sleep or sit in a way that could lead to paralysis, and once it gets other feedback it stops.

Unfortunately it can’t tell the difference between a pinched nerve and a lost limb, so it’s instead like “bro move your hand, bro, BRO!!!” And now your left hand that’s been missing for 6 years is suddenly on fire.

23