Is My Arm Pain Coming from My Neck?

Pain in your hand, wrist, or arm can be frustrating. You don't realize how much you use your arms and hands until pain, numbness, or tingling gets in the way. Most of us don't usually think that an issue in our neck may cause our arm pain. But it's very common that arm pain can be traced back to a nerve issue in your neck.

Why it Matters:

Hand, wrist, and arm pain often starts with a neck problem. When a spinal disc in your neck irritates or presses on a nerve, it can result in arm pain. Just like the power lines that bring electricity to your house, your brain and spinal cord split into individual nerve roots that deliver information to every part of your body. The nerves in your neck are specifically focused on providing strength and sensation to your head and arms.

• A bulged or herniated disc in your neck can irritate or compress the nerves that travel to your hands, arms, and shoulders
• A recent study of people with cervical (neck) disc herniation showed improvement in over 86% of people who received chiropractic adjustments
• Improving spinal mobility, decreasing inflammation, and improving your posture may help prevent future episodes of neck and arm pain

A painful arm as a result of a pinched nerve in your neck very rarely requires surgery. Most people can find long-term relief with conservative care, such as chiropractic. Getting rid of the inflammation and giving the disc time to heal are part of a complete plan we use each day to help our patients reduce their symptoms and get their lives back.

Science Source:

Intervertebral Kinematics of the Cervical Spine Before, During, and After High-Velocity Low Amplitude Manipulation.The Spine Journal. 2018

Spinal Stenosis. The Mayo Clinic. 2020

Symptomatic, Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Confirmed Cervical Disk Herniation Patients: A Comparative-Effectiveness Prospective Observational Study of 2 Age- and Sex-Matched Cohorts Treated With Either Imaging-Guided Indirect Cervical Nerve Root Injections or Spinal Manipulative Therapy. JMPT 2016

Spinal manipulation, medication, or home exercise with advice for acute and subacute neck pain: a randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2012