If you have neck stiffness paired with shooting pain, tingling or numbness running down your arm, a pinched nerve in your neck may be the cause rather than anything wrong with the arm itself. At The Spine and Wellness Center in Coral Springs, Dr. Jared Cohen, DC sees this pattern often: a compressed nerve in the neck that refers symptoms far from the actual source. Patients across Coral Springs and Parkland are frequently surprised to learn their hand numbness traces back to the cervical spine.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jared Cohen, DC · Updated June 2026

What is a pinched nerve in the neck?

Your neck, or cervical spine, houses nerve roots that branch out to your shoulders, arms and hands. When one of these nerve roots is irritated or compressed, doctors call it cervical radiculopathy. Because each nerve root serves a specific pathway, the symptoms often travel along the arm rather than staying in the neck.

The compression can come from a herniated or bulging disc pressing on the nerve, from bone spurs that narrow the space the nerve passes through, or from inflammation in the surrounding joints. The result is the same: the nerve sends faulty signals that you feel as pain, tingling, or weakness somewhere downstream.

Signs and symptoms to watch for

Cervical radiculopathy rarely feels like ordinary muscle soreness. The hallmark is symptoms that radiate from the neck into the arm, and they often follow a specific path depending on which nerve root is involved.

• Sharp, burning or electric pain that travels from the neck into the shoulder, arm or hand
• Pins-and-needles tingling or numbness in the fingers
• Weakness in the arm, grip or specific fingers
• Pain that worsens when you turn or tilt your head toward the affected side
• Relief when you raise your arm overhead, which takes tension off the nerve

What causes the nerve to get pinched?

Age-related wear is the most common driver. Over time, discs lose height and the small joints of the spine thicken, narrowing the openings where nerves exit. Poor posture, especially prolonged forward-head positioning at a desk or phone, adds mechanical stress that speeds this process.

Acute causes also occur. A sudden disc herniation from lifting, a sports injury, or whiplash from a car accident can compress a nerve root quickly. In many patients we see a combination: a spine already under strain that finally gets tipped over the edge by one wrong movement.

How we treat cervical radiculopathy

Most pinched nerves respond well to conservative, drug-free care, and surgery is rarely the first step. Our approach starts with a thorough exam to confirm which nerve root is involved and to rule out anything more serious. From there we build a plan around gentle, targeted treatment. Our pinched nerve treatment aims to reduce the compression and calm the irritated tissue so the nerve can recover.

Because the source is the neck, addressing the cervical spine directly matters. Our neck pain treatment combines precise chiropractic adjustments, soft-tissue work and rehabilitative exercise to restore normal motion. When a disc is the culprit, spinal decompression can gently create space between the vertebrae, helping take pressure off the affected nerve. We coordinate these therapies for patients throughout Coral Springs, Parkland, Coconut Creek and Margate.

Self-care that supports recovery

Alongside in-office care, small daily habits make a real difference. Many patients find their symptoms ease faster when they protect the neck during the day and avoid the positions that aggravate it.

• Set your screen at eye level so your head stays balanced over your shoulders
• Take a posture break every 30 minutes to reset and gently move the neck
• Avoid sleeping on your stomach, which twists the cervical spine
• Use a supportive pillow that keeps your neck neutral
• Apply ice for sharp flare-ups and gentle heat for stiffness

When to see us in Coral Springs

Mild tingling that resolves in a day or two may settle on its own, but arm symptoms that persist beyond a week, keep returning, or come with weakness deserve attention. Progressive weakness, loss of coordination, or any change in bowel or bladder control are red flags that need prompt evaluation.

Dr. Cohen has helped patients across Coral Springs and Parkland recover from pinched nerves since 2005, often with same-day appointments and most major insurance accepted. The sooner an irritated nerve is addressed, the better it tends to respond. Call us at (954) 341-2256 to get evaluated.