Nerve related neck and arm pain is commonly seen by physiotherapists and 90% of these symptoms resolve with non-surgical management.

Your neck consists of seven bones (vertebrae) with nerves exiting at each level through small tunnels that run down your arm to your hands via different routes. If the small tunnel where the nerve exits the spine is partially obscured or if the nerve is repeatedly aggravated it can lead to symptoms being experienced in your neck, down your arm and at times in your hand. These symptoms are normally experienced in one arm and have been described as pins and needles, numbness, shooting, burning or the sense of freezing cold water being pour down your arm along with many other descriptions. Highly repetitive movements or during sudden movements can irritate the nerve that can begin a cascade of events resulting in symptoms.

During the early stages these symptoms can be highly concerning and interruptive to people’s daily lives. Physiotherapist are able to assess these symptoms and provide a management plan that can involve providing clear information of serious signs and symptoms to be aware of that require urgent care, advice on managing pain, suggest positions of ease, select appropriate exercises and trial manual therapy in attempt to settle the symptoms. Normally with good management symptoms settle over 2-8 weeks (can be longer) and physiotherapists will develop your care at the speed that matches your recovery to full function. If indicated during the initial assessment or if symptoms are not improving within normal healing time frames Physiotherapist are able to refer on for further investigations and different treatment options.