Arm Pain; Is it Really Coming from Your Arm?

Nerve irritation in the neck, often caused by conditions like a herniated disc or spinal degeneration, can cause radiating pain, numbness, or tingling down the arm. This condition is known as cervical radiculopathy.  Cervical radiculopathy cannot only affect day-to-day life, it can also significantly impact a person’s sleep. Fortunately, physiotherapy can help to alleviate symptoms and improve function.

Differentiating Local Arm Pain vs. Radiating Neck Pain

A physiotherapist is able to assess whether arm pain is localised or a symptom of an irritated nerve in the neck.

Local arm pain is typically related to muscle, joint, or tendon injuries in the arm itself. It’s often triggered by specific arm movements, and the pain doesn’t follow a consistent nerve pathway.

Radiating pain from the neck, on the other hand, follows a predictable path along the affected nerve root. Symptoms might include:

• Pain shooting down the arm.
• Numbness, tingling, or “pins and needles” in the shoulder, arm, or hand.
• Muscle weakness in the shoulder, arm or hand.

Specific tests can be performed to confirm the source of the pain to determine whether it is nerve related. A physiotherapist will assess the range of motion of your neck, shoulder, elbow and wrist along with assessing the neural tension of your upper limb which can help to identify the specific nerve root affected. Once the cause is identified, treatment techniques will be utilised to alleviate pain.

Treatment Techniques to Alleviate Pain

1. Soft Tissue Release
   Tight muscles in the neck and shoulder region can exacerbate nerve irritation. Soft tissue release techniques, such as massage or trigger point therapy, can help relieve muscle tension, improve circulation and ease the pressure on irritated nerves.
2. Joint Mobilisations
   Joint stiffness in the neck can contribute to nerve compression. Gentle mobilisations of the neck can increase the movement of the neck joints, reducing irritation on the nerve root. This allows for more freedom of movement and decreased pain.
3. Nerve Flossing
   Nerve flossing (or gliding) exercises are designed to gently stretch and mobilise the nerves, reducing adhesions and promoting healthy nerve movement. For cervical radiculopathy, specific exercises targeting the affected nerve roots (like the median, ulnar, or radial nerve) can ease symptoms by encouraging the nerves to glide smoothly through surrounding tissues.

Tailored Home Exercise Programs

In addition to in-clinic treatments, a physiotherapist will provide a customised home exercise program to help manage and reduce symptoms. These exercises may include:

• Neck stretches to improve flexibility.
• Strengthening exercises for the neck, shoulders, and arms to improve posture and support.
• Posture correction strategies to reduce strain on the cervical spine during daily activities, such as sitting at a desk or lifting.

These home exercises, when done regularly, can accelerate recovery and help prevent the recurrence of nerve irritation.

Seeking Help at Invigorate Health and Performance

If you’re experiencing symptoms such as numbness, tingling, “pins and needles,” or pain in your shoulder, arm, and/or hand, it’s essential to get assessed by a professional. At Invigorate Health and Performance, our experienced clinicians are trained in managing nerve-related pain. We will conduct a thorough assessment to determine if your symptoms are due to an issue in the neck and create a personalised treatment plan to help you recover.

Don’t let nerve irritation affect your quality of life. Book an appointment with us today and take the first step towards pain relief!

(Published Mar 26, 2025)

Written By: Nicholas Dimos (Physiotherapist)