Neck, head & jaw
Cervical radiculopathy
Neck pain with tingling or weakness into an arm
What it means
A cervical nerve root can become irritated where it leaves the neck. Radicular pain may travel into the arm. Radiculopathy can also involve changes in sensation, reflexes, or muscle strength. [1, 2]
What I check in the clinic
I compare neck and shoulder movements with an exam of arm strength, sensation, and reflexes. If reaching forward at a desk brings on tingling, I may change forearm support and check how far the feeling travels. A change tells us what influences the symptom during that task.
What the evidence says about care
Traction studies have produced different results. In one trial mechanical traction added to exercise improved some later outcomes, while another found no added short-term benefit. I use your exam and response to decide what is worth trying. [3, 4]
Common questions
Why does my hand tingle at my desk when my neck feels fine?
Tell me which fingers tingle and where your arm rests. I’d compare that with the neck and arm exam and see what changes with support. Those findings help us choose where to look.
What if I can turn my head farther but the same fingers still tingle?
We’d track those separately. Let me know where the tingling goes and when it starts during your usual work. I’d use that detail to decide whether the next check should focus elsewhere.
Why does the feeling change when I put my arm on the armrest?
That’s a useful comparison to bring in. We can check what changes when the arm is supported and weigh that alongside the rest of the exam.
How would I know if the change helped through a workday?
Notice when the tingling first interrupts a task you already do and how quickly it settles. Bring back what you noticed on a comparable day.
What if my grip is getting weaker?
Contact a medical clinician today if you’re newly dropping things or losing grip strength. Call 911 for sudden arm weakness, especially if your speech or face changes. [5]
What should I bring to an evaluation?
Bring one example of a movement or activity you want back, along with any relevant imaging or treatment notes you already have.