When neck pain is caused by muscle strain, you may have numbness and tingling that spreads to your upper arm. Numbness and tingling that spreads down the arm into the hand and fingers can be a symptom of a pinched nerve (nerve root compression). Numbness and tingling is more serious if it occurs in both arms or both hands rather than just one arm or one hand.

A pinched nerve may be caused by swelling and irritation inside the joint (arthritis). Bony growths (osteophytes) press on the nerves that come from the spinal canal. A pinched nerve in the neck can also be caused by injury, a herniated disc, or a tumor or infection of the spine. If you have a pinched nerve in your neck, your hands or arms may feel numb or weak, and you also may have arm pain.

Call your doctor for a checkup if you have neck pain with numbness and tingling in your hands or arms.