Moving our way down the spine from where we left off last month, the C5 / C6 vertebrae in the neck are known as load-bearing vertebrae because they support the weight of the spine and head above. In addition, these vertebrae play an important role in facilitating the neck's range of motion, such as turning the head side to side and looking up and down.
Cervical 5 nerves provide sensation to the upper part of your arm down to your elbow. Cervical 6 nerve controls the extensor muscles of your wrist and is involved in the control of your biceps. C6 also provides sensation to the thumb side of your forearm and hand.
Conditions often involved with the C5 and C6 are disc herniation, degenerative changes and nerve compression, which can lead to symptoms like neck pain, arm pain, weakness, tingling and numbness.
Unfortunately, the C5/C6 motion unit is almost always arthritic in my average patient- due to the weight-bearing characteristics of the average neck. C5/C6 can also be the epicenter of a “whiplash” type of injury.
If you have chronic neck stiffness (and difficulty looking up), or you notice tingling or a weak grip in your hands, C5/C6 is part of the equation.
Make a commitment to your health today.
Stay well adjusted,
Dr. Dan Kammer
Post Script Bonus: C5/C6 Trivia
The C5/C6 nerves supply quite a few muscles, here a few fun words to try to pronounce:
- Supraspinatus
- Infraspinatus
- Biceps brachii
- Brachialis
- Deltoid
- Teres minor
- Brachioradialis
- Serratus anterior
- Subscapularis
- Pectoralis major
- Coracobrachialis
- Teres major
- Supinator
- Extensor carpi radialis longus
- Latissimus dorsi
Damage to the nerves by way of impingement, ischemia, trauma, or degeneration of nerve tissue, can cause denervation of one or more of the associated muscles. Muscle atrophy and other secondary complications can occur.