Shoulder and elbow pain, it turns out it's because of the cervical spine? ...In severe cases, it's hard to use chopsticks
Mar 23, 2025
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Contrary to the thoughts of A, who was worried about tennis elbow, he was diagnosed with cervical neuropathy by medical staff. Pain radiating from the shoulder to the hand, not limited to external elbow pain, is the main symptom, and a thorough examination was conducted according to the medical staff's prescription, and neuromuscular compression was found in cervical vertebrae 5/6 (C 5/6).
The spine consists of a total of 33 bones, of which the cervical vertebrae that make up the neck are made up of 7 bones and are numbered from C1 to C7. The cervical spine plays an important role in supporting the head and helping the movement of the neck, and C3 to C7 are particularly involved in the sensory and motor functions of the upper limbs such as shoulders, elbows, and wrists.
Cervical neuropathy can occur when the nerves are compressed due to degenerative changes in the cervical spine, intervertebral disc escapism, and trauma. As a result, pain, numbness, muscle weakness, and sensory abnormalities can occur in the shoulders, elbows, and wrists, depending on the pressed position.
While tennis elbow, which is caused by excessive use, is limited to the outer part of the elbow, cervical neuropathy is characterized by radiating pain that spreads pain from the site of occurrence to other areas, and can be accompanied by sensory abnormalities such as numbness, loss of strength, and paralysis as well as pain. In severe cases, fine movements such as chopsticks and button locking are difficult, which can interfere with daily life or lead to abnormal walking.
"Shoulder or elbow pain is often caused by cervical diseases," said Ahn Joon-young, a neurosurgeon at Daedong Hospital's Spine Center. "If an abnormal reaction occurs in the body, it is important to accurately check your physical condition and treat it early through consultation with medical staff rather than self-diagnosing."
After checking the patient's symptoms and medical history, the diagnosis is made through imaging tests such as X-rays, CT, and MRI to check the skeletal structure, intervertebral disc escape, and spinal canal stenosis. Depending on the degree of the disease, medication, physical therapy, wearing aids, and injection treatment may be performed, and if symptoms are severe or not effective in conservative treatment, surgery to remove the cause of nerve compression may be considered.
Keep a proper posture in your daily life for cervical health, and pillows that are too low or too high can put pressure on the cervical spine, so choose pillows and mattresses that support natural curves to have a comfortable sleeping environment. When working on a computer or using a smartphone, it is recommended to do it at your eye level without lowering your neck, avoid using it for a long time, and stretch regularly.
In addition, avoid activities that put pressure on the neck, and regularly exercise and stretch to strengthen the neck and shoulders.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
