I m having pain in the area of my c5 or c6 vertebra. This pain shoots down through my shoulder and into my upper left arm. More specifically between the bicep and triceps. I work out 5 or 6 days a week and lift heavy. It has caused muscle weakness in my left arm to the point where, when I do any pushing exercise; i.e. bench press, my left to collapse. it is better when I take 1600 mg ibuprofen a day along with Aleve coupled with heating pad, ben gay and ice packs. I took a steroid pack prescribed by my doctor and then neck pain almost went away. But then I had severe shoulder and upper arm pain. I ve been off the steroid pack for two weeks and the neck pain has returned. I do seem to have more strength in my left arm, but it has started to atrophy. Any suggestions?