# Arm Sciatica? (pinched nerve Q) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 10, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-sciatica-pinched-nerve-q/819393 "2018-08-10T16:15:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-sciatica-pinched-nerve-q/819393/1 "2018-08-10T16:15:58Z")
Lately, If I hold my arm in a certain position…like in front of me, holding the mouse as I surf the net…pain radiates from my neck, across my shoulder, down my tricep. I’m sure it is a nerve problem, as the muscles themselves are not sore, per se. What exercises/stretches are available to alleviate this condition? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-sciatica-pinched-nerve-q/819393/2 "2018-08-10T16:29:31Z")
Instead of “sciatica” which refers to a specific nerve, try reading about radiculopathy, specifically cervical radiculopathy. ---
**Author:** ![Emergency911](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/43a26b/32.png) [@Emergency911](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emergency911)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-sciatica-pinched-nerve-q/819393/3 "2018-08-10T16:53:49Z")
I had similar pain and it ended up being a bulging disc in my neck. My neck never hurt, but my arm, shoulder and upper back sure did. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-sciatica-pinched-nerve-q/819393/4 "2018-08-10T17:01:08Z")
I’ve had two episodes of cervical radiculopathy (MRI confirmed). Physical Therapy worked for me. Heat applied to the neck, massage, then traction The traction felt _so good_, I kept asking for more. The PT had the machine turned up to 11, but I wanted more. He was joking about pulling my head off. ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-sciatica-pinched-nerve-q/819393/5 "2018-08-10T17:20:01Z")
I’ve been dealing with cervical radiculopathy for over 15 years. Mine is due to a C6-7 hernia. I also suffer from the sciatica variety, due to disc degeneration. So basically both ends of my spine are messed up. Spinal traction is the only thing that has really worked for me, and I’ve tried a whole range of treatments including different drugs and PT. For the past 3 years my primary treatment has settled into doing inversion sessions 2-3 times/week with 40lbs on a chin strap hanging upside down like a bat for 10-15. The effect is immediate and dramatic, with the seemingly random numbing episodes much relieved over time. ---
**Author:** ![ohiomstr2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/82dd89/32.png) [@ohiomstr2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ohiomstr2)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-sciatica-pinched-nerve-q/819393/6 "2018-08-11T14:49:07Z")
I see folks contantly holding and using a computer mouse incorrectly, and suffering the same symptoms you describe. Many people hold the mouse with the forarm above the level of the surface being used for the device. This results in a tendency to use your shoulder to move it and pushing down on the mouse. Most of the folks I see doing this don’t even realize they are doing the motion. Instead, change your workstation so that your forearm rests on a flat surface and use your wrist and elbow to move the mouse around. This allows your arm and shoulder to be in a relaxed position without pushing down on the device. Less stress on the shoulder, less compression of the nerve. Give it a try and see if it helps. Lots of folks are unaware of the effects of ergonomics on their daily activities. This is especially true with computer workstations. Anyway, good luck with your problem. I suffer from chronic lower extremity pain from an improperly healed surgery. I, quite literally, share your pain. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2018, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-sciatica-pinched-nerve-q/819393/7 "2018-08-24T01:36:01Z")
Update: Lately, I’ve been wearing a cervical collar/neck brace [![](https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/c7a5c197-8a1d-41a1-a413-40448c4c8880/svn/drive-personal-care-rtlpc23289-64_1000.jpg) ](https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/c7a5c197-8a1d-41a1-a413-40448c4c8880/svn/drive-personal-care-rtlpc23289-64_1000.jpg) which decompressed my vertebrae enough to STOP the constant pain and mute the sudden jolts when I move my head wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2019, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-sciatica-pinched-nerve-q/819393/8 "2019-05-26T14:11:34Z")
UPDATE I am undergoing a Foramenotomy to repair the ruptured disk around my c6 vertebra. [![](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/CR3PWW/posterior-cervical-foraminotomies-and-bone-fusion-c4-t1-CR3PWW.jpg) ](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/CR3PWW/posterior-cervical-foraminotomies-and-bone-fusion-c4-t1-CR3PWW.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2019, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-sciatica-pinched-nerve-q/819393/9 "2019-05-26T14:30:12Z")
> [@Enola\_Straight](#): > > UPDATE > > I am undergoing a Foramenotomy to repair the ruptured disk around my c6 vertebra. > [https://c8.alamy.com/comp/CR3PWW/posterior-cervical-foraminotomies-and-bone-fusion-c4-t1-CR3PWW.jpg](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/CR3PWW/posterior-cervical-foraminotomies-and-bone-fusion-c4-t1-CR3PWW.jpg) A friend had that done. He had some pain immediately postop and was questioning going through with the surgery, but that all resolved after a few months and he is pain free now. ETA: IIRC, they did the problematic space as well as one above and one below. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-sciatica-pinched-nerve-q/819393/10 "2019-05-30T23:16:37Z")
Ow. _OWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!_ **O** …fucking… **W!!!** They sliced up the back of my neck like they gutted a fish. I was intubated, and the 'lil punching-bag thingy at the back of my throat is all swollen and sore. Ow. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-sciatica-pinched-nerve-q/819393/11 "2019-05-31T11:15:42Z")
Keep reminding yourself it will be worth it, long term. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2019, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arm-sciatica-pinched-nerve-q/819393/12 "2019-06-01T22:27:27Z")
Today, while coming my hair, I got re-aquainted with the punctures to my scalp from the halo. [![](https://media.springernature.com/lw785/springer-static/image/chp%3A10.1007%2F978-3-642-15828-5_11/MediaObjects/212880_1_En_11_Fig26_HTML.gif) ](https://media.springernature.com/lw785/springer-static/image/chp%3A10.1007%2F978-3-642-15828-5_11/MediaObjects/212880_1_En_11_Fig26_HTML.gif)