Cervical radiculopathy is a neurologic condition characterized by dysfunction of a cervical spinal nerve, the roots of the nerve, or both. It usually presents with pain in the neck and one arm, with a combination of sensory loss, loss of motor function, or reflex changes in the affected nerve-root distribution. The symptoms include neck pain, radiation of pain, stiffness, weakness, paresthesia, clumsy finger movements, vertigo, tenderness over cervical, movements of the neck restricted etc.  It is commonly called a "pinched nerve," occurs when a nerve in the neck is compressed or irritated where it branches away from the spinal cord. It is often caused by "wear and tear" changes that occur in the spine. Because of present-day lifestyles, food, habits, excessive stress-strain and anxiety more people are getting these problems. In younger people, it is most often caused by a sudden injury that results in a herniated disk. In some cases, however, there is no traumatic episode associated with the onset of symptoms. It is associated with movement impairment of the upper limbs in 68% of the cases, scapular pain in 52.5% of cases, paresthesia in 45.5% of the cases, chest pain in 17.8% of the cases and headache in 9.7% of the cases, among others.

It is a common disease affecting the middle and old age group of both sex and is prevalent worldwide with a lifetime incidence of 40-60%. The most affected age group is 30-70 years. In daily wage labourers and some occupational postures like in teachers, coolies, drivers, tailors are the commonest causes of neck pain. In males the prevalence is 100% by age 70yrs, 96% in women older than 70 yrs. 60-70% women and 85% of men show changes related with cervical spondylosis by the age of 45yrs. 

Viswachi is a disease which exhibits weakness or sensational disturbances, disturbances of the movements of the hand. Vishwachi is a disease affecting the neck and upper extremities having the signs and symptoms like Ruka, Stambha, Toda, Karmakshaya and Chestapaharana of Bahu.