Specialties Neck and numb arm
Neck pain, numb arm and headaches of cervical origin
Pins and needles, tingling, burning running down the arm.
Neck pain that spreads into the shoulder or arm, a feeling of numbness on waking, headaches that start in the neck.
Daniel Bontems, osteopath D.O., sees patients with neck pain, pain associated with cervical radiculopathy and tension headaches linked to the neck and trapezius muscles, or caused by referred pain from the cervical spine, the jaw or the skull.
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When the neck sends pain into the arm
A numb arm is not always an arm problem. The nerve root may be irritated at the cervical level, but the nerve then runs through several passage points (the neck region, beneath the collarbone, the armpit, elbow and wrist) where compression can occur or add up.
Two areas of knowledge guide the examination. Referred pain: a muscle or joint can project pain far from its origin. And breathing: an upper-chest breathing pattern, which constantly loads the neck muscles, sustains neck tension that local work alone does not resolve in the long term.
When your head hurts
Some headaches start in the neck: the trapezius and suboccipital muscles can project pain towards the temple or behind the eyes. Others come from the jaw, through bruxism or malocclusion, or from reduced neck mobility. Medical advice remains essential for any new or changing migraine.
Conditions treated
- Acute neck pain
- Torticollis (wry neck)
- Chronic neck pain
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Tingling and burning in the arm
- Tension headaches and migraines
- Facial and trigeminal neuralgia
- Jaw (TMJ) and submandibular pain
- Swallowing, voice and chewing difficulties
- Reduced neck mobility
- Associated shoulder pain
- Pain related to screen work
How the care works
Locate
Cervical tests, examination of the nerve's passage points along the upper limb, search for referred pain, screening neurological assessment to pinpoint the level of irritation.
Release
Work on the cervical and thoracic spine, first rib, shoulder girdle, jaw and diaphragm. Cervical techniques are chosen according to each person's profile and history.
Address the underlying factors
Breathing pattern, workstation, sleep and night-time position. Without this part, neck tension sets back in.
Signs that require medical advice before any neck treatmentLoss of strength in the arm, symptoms that worsen rapidly, associated dizziness or visual disturbances, sudden or unusual headache.
Neck, numb arm and headaches
Another question? Write to the practice
Why is my arm numb when it is my neck that hurts?
The nerves of the arm originate at the level of the cervical vertebrae. Irritation at this level can show up as sensations further away, in the shoulder, forearm or fingers, without the tingling area itself being the cause. That is why the examination is never limited to the arm.
Can my migraines or headaches come from my neck?
It is common. Tension in the trapezius and suboccipital muscles, reduced neck mobility, but also certain muscles of the jaw or skull can project pain towards the temple or behind the eyes: this is referred pain. Bruxism and malocclusion often contribute.
Any new migraine, or one that changes in character, warrants medical advice.
What is cervical radiculopathy?
It is pain that starts in the neck and follows the path of a nerve into the arm, often linked to irritation of a cervical nerve root. The diagnosis is medical; osteopathic care focuses on the associated pain and tension.
Are neck manipulations risk-free?
Any neck technique requires a prior case history and tests to rule out contraindications. When the context is not suitable (vascular history, inflammatory pain, neurological signs), other, non-manipulative techniques can be used to work on the area.
Is my screen work to blame?
It often contributes, less through the posture itself than through its prolonged immobility and the upper-chest breathing it sets up. Adjusting your workstation and taking regular micro-breaks are part of the advice given in consultation.