The neck (cervical spine) is flexible and supports the weight of the head. Wear and tear here can cause neck pain and headaches, pinch nerves going to the arms, or compress the spinal cord itself.
Arm symptoms and hand clumsiness matter
Neck pain on its own is very common and usually settles within 6 to 8 weeks with time and non-impact cardio. Pain, tingling or weakness in an arm suggests a pinched nerve (radiculopathy). Clumsy hands, numb fingers or unsteady walking can be signs of spinal cord compression (myelopathy) and should be assessed promptly.
Talk to Prof Kruger
If you are living with this condition and would like an opinion on your options, you are welcome to book a consultation. Please bring any recent scans and reports.
This page is general patient education based on published research and is not a substitute for a personal consultation. Treatment is always tailored to the individual.