Why Does My Neck Pain Go Down My Arm? | Mission Valley, CA
Pain Traveling From Your Neck Into Your Shoulder or Arm? Don't Ignore the Connection.
Neck pain doesn't always stay in the neck.
For some people, the first major symptom is actually pain around the shoulder blade.
For others, it's pain traveling down the arm.
You may also notice:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Burning
- Pins and needles
- Hand or finger symptoms
- Weakness in the arm or grip
This can make it seem like you have an arm or shoulder problem.
But if a nerve in the cervical spine is irritated or compressed, the neck may actually be the source of symptoms you're feeling farther down your arm.
This is commonly called cervical radiculopathy, or a pinched nerve in the neck.
Don't Just Treat Where It Hurts—Find Out Where the Problem Is Coming From
If you've been treating your shoulder or arm but the symptoms keep returning, it may be time to look farther upstream.
Questions worth answering include:
Is a cervical nerve being irritated or compressed?
Could a herniated or bulging cervical disc be involved?
Does my MRI correlate with my symptoms?
Could foraminal narrowing be contributing?
Is my cervical spine stable?
Why haven't my symptoms improved with treatment?
Am I a candidate for Non-Surgical Cervical Spinal Decompression?
And equally important:
Is there a reason I should NOT receive spinal decompression?
Find Out If You're a Candidate
📞 Call 619-298-0800
🌐 SanDiegoBackCare.com
📍 5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Severe Cervical Disc Bulging With Numbness and Tingling Into the Arms and Hands
Justine had already tried multiple chiropractors, traction machines, and pain-management specialists before finding Dr. Boelk.
**“I've been seeing Dr. Boelk for almost four years, and it has been one of the best healthcare decisions I've ever made.
I was diagnosed with severe cervical disc bulging, dizziness, neck pain, and numbness and tingling into my arms and hands. After trying multiple chiropractors, traction machines, and pain management specialists, I was told surgery was likely my next option.
Then I found Dr. Boelk. He explained how spinal decompression could help and developed a treatment plan specific to my condition. My pain level dropped from a 7 down to a 3 after several intensive sessions and eventually improved to a 1–2 with maintenance care.
During my most recent MRI, the images showed my cervical spine had returned to a much more normal position.
I continue with maintenance care and am incredibly thankful I found Dr. Boelk. He is practical, professional, and one of my favorite doctors. I highly recommend giving him a chance.”**
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
— Justine Lai
What Is a Pinched Nerve in the Neck?
A “pinched nerve” generally refers to irritation or compression affecting a cervical nerve root.
Because these nerves travel into the upper extremities, a problem in the cervical spine can potentially produce symptoms in the:
Neck → shoulder → shoulder blade → arm → forearm → hand → fingers
Symptoms can include pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and weakness.
And importantly:
Your arm symptoms can sometimes be worse than your neck pain.
What Can Cause a Cervical Nerve to Become Irritated?
Possible causes can include:
- Cervical disc bulges
- Cervical disc protrusions
- Cervical disc herniations
- Degenerative disc changes
- Foraminal narrowing
- Bone spurs
- Cervical spondylosis
- Cervical spinal stenosis
- Other structural conditions
That's why simply saying “I have a pinched nerve” doesn't completely answer the question.
You still want to know:
What's pinching or irritating the nerve?
That can affect the treatment decision.
How Do I Know If My Arm Pain Is Actually Coming From My Neck?
An examination can help distinguish between a cervical nerve problem and other causes of shoulder or arm symptoms.
Dr. Boelk may evaluate:
- Cervical movement
- Symptom patterns
- Sensation
- Muscle strength
- Reflexes
- Orthopedic findings
- Neurological findings
- Existing cervical imaging when available
The objective isn't simply to identify where it hurts.
It's to determine why it hurts.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Significant Improvement in Neck Symptoms From a Pinched Nerve
**“Great service, an amazing staff, and an excellent doctor.
Treatment made a significant improvement in my neck symptoms that were being caused by a pinched nerve.
Highly recommended.”**
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
— Christine Sherk
What If I've Already Tried Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy can be very helpful for many cervical problems.
But if you're still experiencing arm pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness after treatment, it may be time to reassess the condition.
Ask:
- Is the nerve still irritated?
- Does the diagnosis match my symptoms?
- Is a disc problem involved?
- Is there foraminal narrowing?
- Are certain movements repeatedly provoking the symptoms?
- Is the spine stable?
- Would another conservative approach be appropriate?
Persistent symptoms don't automatically mean surgery is required.
But they shouldn't simply be ignored either.
Could Non-Surgical Cervical Spinal Decompression Help?
For appropriately selected patients with certain cervical disc-related conditions, Non-Surgical Cervical Spinal Decompression may be another conservative treatment option.
Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC uses the DRX9000® Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression System at The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego.
The practice has 7 DRX9000 systems, including dedicated cervical decompression systems.
However:
A cervical disc problem doesn't automatically make you a candidate.
Dr. Boelk evaluates each patient individually to determine whether decompression is appropriate and whether there are contraindications or other reasons a different approach should be considered.
Why Patients Seek Out Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC
✔ Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
✔ Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist
✔ California X-Ray Radiology Licensed Doctor
✔ Founder, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy
✔ Founding Member, American Spinal Decompression Society
✔ More Than 22 Years Clinical Experience
✔ More Than 100,000 Spinal Decompression Treatments Performed
✔ 7 DRX9000® Spinal Decompression Systems
✔ One of the Largest Known Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Practices in California
Dr. Boelk also trains other doctors in Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression protocols and techniques through the Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Training Academy, based in his San Diego private practice.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “It's Possible to Regain a Quality of Life You May Have Thought Was Gone.”
Fran described her experience at the office this way:
**“If you're fortunate enough to find this office, it's possible to regain a quality of life you may have thought was gone.
The care is exceptional, and the staff is kind, compassionate, and extremely knowledgeable.
Dr. Boelk is the GOAT.
Highly recommended.”**
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
— Fran Cohen
When Should Neck and Arm Symptoms Be Evaluated Promptly?
Seek prompt medical evaluation for:
- New or worsening muscle weakness
- Increasing hand clumsiness
- Problems with balance or walking
- Significant heaviness or weakness involving the arms or legs
- Rapidly worsening neurological symptoms
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
Those symptoms shouldn't be treated as routine neck pain.
Cervical Disc and Pinched Nerve Evaluation for Mission Valley Patients
The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego is located in nearby Kearny Mesa, convenient to patients from Mission Valley, Serra Mesa, Tierrasanta, Linda Vista, Allied Gardens, and surrounding central San Diego communities.
Your evaluation with Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC may include:
✔ Review of your neck, shoulder, arm, hand, and finger symptoms
✔ Review of treatments you've already tried
✔ Focused orthopedic and neurological examination
✔ Evaluation of strength, sensation, and reflexes when appropriate
✔ Review of your existing cervical MRI or other imaging when available
✔ Digital X-rays when clinically indicated
✔ Evaluation of cervical stability when appropriate
✔ Discussion of what may be contributing to your symptoms
✔ Determination of whether you're a candidate for Non-Surgical Cervical Spinal Decompression
✔ Recommended next steps based on the findings
Don't assume your arm pain is simply an arm problem.
Don't automatically assume surgery is your next step.
And don't assume spinal decompression is right for you either.
Find out first.
Neck Pain Going Down Your Arm? Find Out Why.
The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center of San Diego
Dr. Cassidy James Boelk, DC
Certified Spinal Decompression Doctor
Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist
📍 5095 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92123
📞 619-298-0800
🌐 SanDiegoBackCare.com
Call 619-298-0800 to schedule an evaluation and find out what may be causing your neck and arm symptoms and whether Non-Surgical Cervical Spinal Decompression may be an appropriate option for you.
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