19/01/2026
🧠 > 🦴 DIFFERENTIATING PAIN CAUSED BY NERVE COMPRESSION AND JOINT PAIN
(Neck – Shoulder – Arm | C3 → T1)
Clinical Perspective – Reflex -Therapy
Many cases of shoulder pain, arm numbness, and arm aching are mistaken for "muscle pain" or "joint pain."
However, the source may actually lie in the CERVICAL SPINE, specifically the C3 to T1 nerve roots.
👉 Understanding the correct neural map of pain is key to accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
📍 NERVE MAP OF PAIN
Pain does not necessarily occur at the site of injury.
When cervical nerve roots are compressed or irritated, pain radiates along the nerve's path down to the shoulder, arm, and hand.
🔴 Colored area = where the patient feels pain
⚠️ True source = cervical spine
🧩 PAIN DISTRIBUTION ALONG NERVE ROOTS
🟢 C3 – C4
• Neck
• Upper shoulder
• Supraclavicular region
🟡 C5
• Shoulder
• Outer arm
• Deltoid muscle region
🟠 C6
• Outer arm & forearm
• Thumb
• Often accompanied by numbness and weakness in the hand
🔵 C7
• Posterior arm
• Forearm
• Middle finger
• Most common in cervical herniation
🟣 C8
• Inner forearm
• Ring finger & little finger
• Often accompanied by weak grip strength
🔴 T1
• Axillary region
• Inner arm
• Inner edge of the hand
📌 Each nerve root has a “pain fingerprint” Very distinctive.
⚠️ WHY IS IT EASY TO MISDIAGNOSIS?
• No direct neck pain
• Pain similar to tendinitis or arthritis
• Local massage only provides temporary relief
• Symptom treatment without addressing the root cause of the nerve
👉 Result: recurring pain – chronic condition.
🧠 IMPORTANT CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Neurological pain mapping helps:
✔️ Identify cervical disc herniation
✔️ Detect nerve root compression
✔️ Differentiate between neuropathic pain and musculoskeletal pain
✔️ Explain pain without local trauma
✅ REFLEX -THERAPY PERSPECTIVE SOLUTION
Not just “treating the pain site” – but addressing the ROOT NERVE & MECHANICAL AXIS
🔹 Assessing the cervical-shoulder-arm axis using a neural map
🔹 Releasing deep tissue and nerve root compression points
🔹 Manual Therapy & Trigger Point Therapy
🔹 Acupuncture – bioelectric acupuncture (when needed)
🔹 Adjusting the cervical-shoulder-spinal axis
🔹 Movement therapy for nerve conduction rehabilitation Cervical spine
🎯 Goals
✔️ Reduce pain at its root cause
✔️ Restore nerve conduction
✔️ Avoid chronic pain and drug dependence
✔️ Regain strength, sensation, and movement in the hand
🍀 I'd like to explain clearly “ Reflexology Massage therapy.
The cervical spine has 7 vertebrae: C1 → C7.
👉 C8 is not a vertebra, but the C8 cervical nerve root.
🔎 What is C8?
• The C8 nerve root exits between C7 and T1.
• Innervates: forearm, hand, especially the ring finger and little finger.
• Compression of the C8 often causes:
- Numbness radiating down the arm
- Weakness in grip strength
- Neck pain radiating to the shoulder and inner arm
👉 Therefore, in clinical practice, "C7–C8" refers to the C7 vertebra and C8 nerve root combination, not the C8 vertebra itself.
🍀REFLEX THERAPY .
Pain in the hand – the root may be in the neck.
Pain in the shoulder – the cause may be a nerve root.
Understanding the pain map correctly,
is essential for correct, effective, and lasting treatment.
REFLEX THERAPY YOUR HEALTH – YOUR LIFE – YOUR HAPPY
📍 Sharing correct knowledge – treating the root cause – for community health
