Table of Contents
Can neck problems affect your arms?
Can neck problems cause pain in the arms? Problems in the cervical spine- or the section of the spine in your neck, can cause pain in the neck as well as numbness and weakness in the arms. Not every person with neck pain also develops arm pain, but if it does occur it is called cervical radiculopathy.
How do you know if neck pain is serious?
As a general guideline, the Mayo Clinic says you should contact a doctor if your neck pain:
- Is severe.
- Persists for several days without relief.
- Spreads down arms or legs.
- Is accompanied by a headache, numbness, weakness, or tingling.
Can a virus cause neck muscle pain?
In general, cold and flu viruses tend to make your muscles achy and sore. There also are several lymph nodes (also called glands) in the neck that can become swollen and tender with illness. Swollen lymph nodes can make your neck feel stiff. They may even become so swollen that they feel like lumps in your neck.
How long does it take for tight neck muscles to heal?
The Course of Neck Strain While most neck strains take a few weeks to completely heal, symptoms tend to mostly go away in less than a week. In general, severe muscle strains tend to take closer to 12 weeks to heal, but these rarely occur in the neck without the involvement of a more serious injury.
What does a pinched nerve in the neck feel like?
A pinched nerve in the neck may feel like pins and needles. It might also cause pain and weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand. Severe cases require medical care. But if your symptoms are mild, you can try exercises for a pinched nerve in the neck.
Why does my neck pain radiate down my arm?
Cervical radiculopathy, commonly called a “pinched nerve” occurs when a nerve in the neck is compressed or irritated where it branches away from the spinal cord. This may cause pain that radiates into the shoulder, as well as muscle weakness and numbness that travels down the arm and into the hand.
When should I go to the ER for neck pain?
Get to an emergency room immediately if your neck pain occurs with symptoms such as: Fever or chills. Severe, persistent headache. Nausea or vomiting.
What does a blood clot in your neck feel like?
Blood clots can cause swelling in the veins of your neck or arms, but this is rare. Thrombphlebitis affects superficial veins and is a different condition than a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Symptoms of thrombophlebitis include swelling, redness, and tenderness over the affected vein.
How do I know if my neck pain is meningitis?
Brudzinski’s sign: Your doctor will pull your neck forward slowly. Neck stiffness and involuntary bending of the knees and hips can indicate meningitis. Kernig’s sign: Your doctor will flex your leg at the knee and bend the leg forward at the hip.
When should I worry about a stiff neck?
A stiff neck is generally not a cause for alarm. However, see a doctor if: The stiffness is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a fever, a headache, or irritability. The stiffness does not go away within a few days and after trying home treatments such as NSAIDs and gentle stretching.
How do you know if you have pulled a muscle in your neck?
Pain, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness that radiates down into the shoulder, arm, or hand. Headache or dizziness. Visual problems or sensitivity to bright lights. Neck instability.