Cervical radiculopathy is when a nerve root in the neck is irritated or compressed, causing pain, pins and needles, numbness or weakness that spreads into the arm. It is often caused by a disc bulge or age-related changes in the neck. Most people improve with time and non-surgical care.
Also known as trapped nerve in the neck, pinched nerve, cervical radicular pain, neck-related arm pain
Symptoms
- Pain spreading from the neck into the shoulder blade, arm or hand
- Pins and needles or numbness in part of the arm or fingers
- Weakness in the arm or grip
- Arm pain that is often worse than neck pain
- Symptoms that change with neck position or looking up
Causes and risk factors
- Age-related changes in the discs and joints of the neck (spondylosis)
- A bulging or herniated disc pressing on a nerve root
- Most common in people in their 40s and 50s
- Only a small proportion of cases follow a clear injury or strain
- A previous episode of nerve-related back or leg pain
What the evidence says helps
- The natural course is generally favourable. People tend to improve over time whichever non-surgical treatment they receive.12
- Low-quality evidence suggests that neck stretching, strengthening and stabilising exercises may give a small short-term reduction in pain.3
- Manual therapy, including mobilisation, nerve-gliding techniques and soft tissue work, has short-term support with moderate confidence in an umbrella review. The underlying studies vary in quality.4
- A large systematic review found a lack of high-quality evidence for any single conservative treatment. Care should be tailored to the person and reviewed regularly.5
- Clinical guidelines support exercise combined with manual therapy for neck pain with arm symptoms, alongside monitoring of nerve function.6
Things you can try at home
- Stay as active as you comfortably can and avoid long periods of bed rest
- Find positions that ease arm symptoms and change position regularly
- Take pain relief as advised by a pharmacist or GP
- Avoid holding your head tipped back for long periods, such as when painting a ceiling
- Keep a note of any change in numbness or strength to share with your clinician
When to get urgent help
Contact your GP urgently, call NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency if you have:
- Call 999 if you develop new difficulty walking, loss of bladder or bowel control, or sudden loss of coordination
- Call 999 if you notice facial drooping, cannot lift both arms, or have trouble speaking
- See a GP urgently or call NHS 111 if arm or leg weakness or heaviness is getting worse
- Get urgent advice if you have symptoms in both arms, clumsy hands or difficulty with fine tasks like buttons
- Get urgent advice if pain is severe, rapidly worsening, or comes with fever or unexplained weight loss
How Apollo can help
We carry out a detailed assessment, including checks of sensation, strength and reflexes, to understand how your nerve is affected and to spot anything that needs medical review. We explain the usual course of the condition and build a plan that may include hands-on care, nerve-gliding and strengthening exercises, and advice on managing daily activities. We monitor your progress and refer you to your GP or a specialist if nerve symptoms are worsening or not improving.
No GP referral needed. Clinics in Sheringham, Coltishall and Norwich.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
How long does a trapped nerve in the neck take to heal?
Many people improve over several weeks to a few months. A population study found most people had no or only mild symptoms at follow-up, though symptoms can return.
Will I need surgery for a trapped nerve in my neck?
Most people do not. Surgery is usually considered only if there is severe or worsening weakness, or if pain does not settle despite good non-surgical care.
Is a trapped nerve the same as a slipped disc?
Not exactly. A bulging disc is one possible cause of a trapped nerve, but age-related changes in the neck joints are also common causes. Disc changes are also often seen on scans in people without any symptoms.
References
- Radhakrishnan K, et al. (1994). Epidemiology of cervical radiculopathy: a population-based study from Rochester, Minnesota, 1976 through 1990. Brain. View source
- Thoomes E, et al. (2013). The effectiveness of conservative treatment for patients with cervical radiculopathy: a systematic review. Clinical Journal of Pain. View source
- Gross A, et al. (2015). Exercises for mechanical neck disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. View source
- Reynolds B, et al. (2024). Manual physical therapy for neck disorders: an umbrella review. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. View source
- Plener J, et al. (2023). Conservative management of cervical radiculopathy: a systematic review. Clinical Journal of Pain. View source
- Blanpied P, et al. (2017). Neck Pain: Revision 2017. Clinical practice guidelines. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. View source
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for medical advice. If you are worried about your symptoms, speak to your GP or a registered healthcare professional. Content prepared from the sources above, November 2026.
