Published on: 4/28/2025
Electric shock sensations feel like sudden, jolt-like zaps or shocks that run through parts of your body. They can be caused by nerve injuries, certain medications, or conditions affecting the spine or nerves.
Imagine feeling a quick, zapping jolt that seems like a tiny electric shock running down your back or through your arms or legs. This is what electric shock sensations feel like. Some people describe it as a flash of electricity that comes out of nowhere. There are different reasons why someone might feel these shocks. For example, if a nerve is injured, like after a cut or an accident, the nerve might send mixed-up messages which can feel like an electric shock. Some medications, like clozapine used for mental health conditions, can also cause this side effect. Additionally, a condition called Lhermitte sign, which is linked to problems in the spine or nerves, can make a person feel a shock when they bend their neck. Real electrical injuries (like touching a live wire) can create similar sensations due to the flow of electricity in the body. Treatment and care depend on the exact cause of the shock sensations.
(References)
Zemaitis MR, Lopez RA, Huecker MR. Electrical Injuries. [Updated 2025 Jan 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Mujahid B, Lutfi L, Alhassan A. Electric Shock Sensation and Recurrent Falls as a Side Effect of Clozapine Therapy: A Case Report. Cureus. 2024 May 26;16(5):e61143. doi: 10.7759/cureus.61143. PMID: 38933635; PMCID: PMC11199893.
Teoli D, Rocha Cabrero F, Smith T, et al. Lhermitte Sign. [Updated 2023 Jul 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Kafiabadi MJ, Biglari F, Sabaghzadeh A, Khabiri SS, Sadighi M, Ebrahimpour A. Electric shock sign after digital nerve injury; report of a case and review of literature. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2022 May;94:107156. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.107156. Epub 2022 May 3. PMID: 35658312; PMCID: PMC9092984.
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