28/07/2026
Many people are surprised to learn that pain felt in the shoulder, upper arm, forearm or even the hand can sometimes originate from the neck.
This is known as referred pain.
The joints, discs, muscles and nerves in the neck can all refer pain into the arm. Depending on the structure involved, you may experience:
* Aching in the shoulder or upper arm
* Pain travelling down the arm
* Tingling or pins and needles
* Numbness in part of the arm or hand
* A feeling of weakness when lifting or gripping
* Pain that changes when you move your neck
Although these symptoms can be worrying, they do not automatically mean there is serious nerve damage.
The key is identifying which structure is responsible.
Physiotherapists are trained to assess the entire neck and upper limb, including:
* Neck movement and symptom behaviour
* Neurological function (strength, sensation and reflexes)
* Neural tension and nerve mobility
* Shoulder function
* Muscle strength and joint mobility
* Symptoms that may require further medical investigation
By understanding where the symptoms are coming from, we can develop a treatment plan that targets the source of the problem—not just where you feel the pain.
Treatment may include manual therapy, neural mobilisation, specific exercises, movement retraining, pain education and progressive rehabilitation.
We do not only treat where the pain is felt. We assess where the pain is coming from.
If pain, tingling or numbness is travelling into your arm, don’t ignore it—and don’t assume it’s coming from your shoulder.
A detailed physiotherapy assessment can help determine the cause and guide the most appropriate treatment.
📞 076 930 8666
📍 Ash Medical Suites, Ashlea Gardens
📍 Midstream Hill Medical Park, Midstream
Living well matters.
