Pinched Nerve in the Neck: Symptoms and Treatment

A pinched nerve in the neck, also called cervical radiculopathy, happens when a nerve in the neck becomes irritated or compressed. This can cause pain that starts in the neck and travels into the shoulder, shoulder blade, arm, hand, or fingers.

Common Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve in the Neck

A pinched nerve can feel different from person to person, but common symptoms include:

• Neck pain or stiffness

• Pain traveling into the shoulder, arm, or hand

• Numbness or tingling

• Burning, sharp, or electric-like pain

• Weakness in the arm, hand, or grip

• Symptoms that worsen with certain neck positions

Sometimes the arm pain is worse than the neck pain. This is because the irritated nerve travels from the neck down into the arm.

What Causes a Pinched Nerve?

A pinched nerve in the neck can happen from a few different causes, including:

• A herniated disc

• Arthritis or age-related changes in the spine

• Poor posture or prolonged sitting

• Muscle tightness around the neck and shoulder

• Repetitive strain or injury

The good news is that many cases improve with conservative treatment and do not require surgery.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

Physical therapy focuses on calming the irritated nerve, improving neck mobility, and reducing pressure on the painful area. Treatment may include:

• Gentle neck mobility exercises

• Postural strengthening

• Nerve gliding exercises

• Manual therapy

• Traction when appropriate

• Shoulder blade and upper back strengthening

• Education on sleeping, sitting, and work positions

The goal is not just to reduce pain, but to help the nerve move and heal properly so symptoms are less likely to keep coming back.

When Should You Get Checked?

You should consider getting evaluated if your pain is traveling down your arm, your symptoms are not improving, or you notice numbness, tingling, or weakness. Seek medical care quickly if you have worsening weakness, trouble walking, loss of balance, or bowel/bladder changes.

Don’t Ignore Nerve Symptoms

A pinched nerve can be painful and frustrating, but the right treatment can make a big difference. At Apex Physical Therapy & Wellness, we help identify what is irritating the nerve and build a treatment plan to get you moving comfortably again.

“If you’re dealing with neck pain , our physical therapy team in St. Joseph can help you find the cause and build a plan to get back to running.”