Illustration depicting the complexities of neck and arm pain sources

Neck and Arm Pain: Is It Really Your Nerves?

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 3 min read.

"Unraveling the Mystery of Cervicobrachial Pain and When to Suspect a Nerve Issue"

That sharp pain shooting down your arm, coupled with a stiff neck? It's a scenario all too familiar for many. This combination, known as cervicobrachial pain (CBP), is a common reason people seek help from physiotherapists. The initial assumption is often a nerve issue, but is that always the case?

Cervicobrachial pain, characterized by discomfort extending from the neck into the arm, upper back, and even the chest, can significantly impact daily life. While cervical radiculopathy (nerve root compression) is a common suspect, many individuals experience this pain without any clear nerve deficits. So, what's really going on?

The discomfort could stem from various sources, including dysfunctional spinal discs, facet joint problems, muscular imbalances in the upper quarter, or even inflamed neural tissues. Understanding the true origin of your pain is crucial for effective treatment and lasting relief.

When is Cervicobrachial Pain Actually a Nerve Problem?

Illustration depicting the complexities of neck and arm pain sources

Researchers sought to determine how often cervicobrachial pain is truly neurogenic – originating from the nerves themselves. In a study of 361 participants experiencing CBP, aged 20-65 years, a thorough screening process was conducted to identify the underlying cause of their symptoms.

The screening included a variety of physical signs:

Pain reproduction during active cervical spine movements (extension, lateral flexion, rotation) and arm movements
Symptom replication with passive movements mirroring active movements
Adverse responses to neural tissue provocation tests (median, ulnar, and radial nerves), with symptom alteration during nerve differentiation maneuvers
Tenderness upon palpation of cervical spine processes (nerve roots) and along the median, ulnar, and radial nerve trunks
Hyperalgesic (increased sensitivity) of cutaneous tissues (tender points)
Evidence of related pathology, such as a positive Spurling's test or radiological findings of cervical disc issues or stenosis

The results showed that only 19.9% (72 participants) had neurogenic cervicobrachial pain. A significant 80.1% (289 participants) had symptoms stemming from non-neurogenic sources. This highlights the importance of thorough assessment to pinpoint the true cause of CBP.

Don't Assume: Get the Right Diagnosis for Lasting Relief

If you're experiencing neck and arm pain, don't automatically assume it's a nerve problem. A comprehensive evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional is essential to identify the true source of your symptoms. This ensures you receive the most appropriate and effective treatment plan for long-term relief.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.7860/jcdr/2016/16456.7492, Alternate LINK

Title: Cervicobrachial Pain - How Often Is It Neurogenic?

Subject: Clinical Biochemistry

Journal: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH

Publisher: JCDR Research and Publications

Authors: Ranganath Gangavelli

Published: 2016-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is cervicobrachial pain (CBP), and why is it important to understand its potential sources?

Cervicobrachial pain (CBP) is characterized by pain extending from the neck into the arm, upper back, and even the chest. It's often mistaken solely as a nerve issue, but can arise from various sources, including dysfunctional spinal discs, facet joint problems, muscular imbalances in the upper quarter, or inflamed neural tissues. It is important to determine the source to allow for better treatment.

What does a comprehensive evaluation for cervicobrachial pain entail?

A comprehensive evaluation includes assessing pain reproduction during active cervical spine movements (extension, lateral flexion, rotation) and arm movements. Symptom replication with passive movements mirroring active movements is examined. Adverse responses to neural tissue provocation tests (median, ulnar, and radial nerves) are observed, with symptom alteration during nerve differentiation maneuvers. Tenderness upon palpation of cervical spine processes (nerve roots) and along the median, ulnar, and radial nerve trunks are also assessed. Other signs such as hyperalgesia of cutaneous tissues, Spurling's test, and radiological findings of cervical disc issues or stenosis are considered.

What percentage of cervicobrachial pain cases are actually caused by nerve issues?

In a study of 361 participants experiencing Cervicobrachial Pain (CBP), only 19.9% had neurogenic cervicobrachial pain. A significant 80.1% had symptoms stemming from non-neurogenic sources. This highlights that in the majority of cases, neck and arm pain are related to something other than nerves.

Which specific nerves are typically assessed when a nerve issue is suspected in cervicobrachial pain?

If a nerve issue is suspected in cervicobrachial pain, the median, ulnar, and radial nerves are commonly assessed. Neural tissue provocation tests target these specific nerves, and symptom alteration during nerve differentiation maneuvers helps determine the extent of nerve involvement. Palpation of cervical spine processes and along the median, ulnar, and radial nerve trunks can also reveal tenderness.

If my cervicobrachial pain isn't caused by a nerve issue, what else could be the source of the pain?

If cervicobrachial pain isn't caused by nerve issues like cervical radiculopathy, it could stem from dysfunctional spinal discs, facet joint problems, muscular imbalances in the upper quarter, or even inflamed neural tissues. Identifying the specific non-neurogenic source through a comprehensive evaluation is crucial for tailoring an effective treatment plan that provides lasting relief.