Neck pain due to C6, C7 nerve root irritation is more common than C8 nerve root irritation.
The median nerve which carries the C5 through C8 nerve root fibers provides C7 and C8 nerve root fibers to the flexor digitorum superficialis.
Pain and spasm in the flexor digitorum superficialis will be more commonly due to C7 nerve root irritation.
Pain and spasm in this muscle will be felt in the front of the forearm, elbow and in the fingers.
When there is stiffness in these muscles, the patient will note difficulty in closing the fingers as in making a fist.
To treat this muscle effectively, selective activation must first be performed to the muscles at the back of the forearm.
Treatments should therefore begin with the wad of three (brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis), extensor digitorum in the of the muscles on the back of the forearm.
After these muscles are treated, it will be easier to treat flexor digitorum superficialis in order for this muscle to relax effectively.
Flexor digitorum superficialis muscle arises from the medial epicondyle of the arm bone (humerus), coronoid process of the inner forearm bone (ulna) bone and from the shaft of the outer forearm bone (radius).
It inserts into the palmar aspect of the middle phalanx of all the fingers except the thumb.
Its action is to bend the elbow, wrist and fingers.
Its primary action is to bend the middle phalanx and this muscle is involved in making a fist.