Many people have heard the term "pinched nerve" and know that it causes pain and numbness.  But a pinched nerve (also called compression lesion) is rare, causing only 10-15% of spine-related problems.  More often, pain results from nerve tissues being irritated by the rubbing, stretching, or scraping of malfunctioning spinal joints.  Such malfunctions can be caused by many everyday events including injury, poor posture, overuse, or emotional stress.  Chemical toxins can also affect the delicate tissues of the spinal cord and nerve roots.  It's important to have a doctor determine the cause of your pain and the extent of your problem.