Hi, thanks for writing to HCM. Pain from the neck going through the shoulder down into the hand is highly suggestive of Cervical radiculopathy. This implies that a intervertebral disc is causing compression over the nerve root resulting in pain down the limb. An MRI scan of the cervical spine will establish the diagnosis. The conservative management of the condition is as follows - - Soft Collar: Soft collar allow the muscles of the neck to rest and limit neck motion. This can help decrease pinching of nerve roots with movement. Soft collars should only be worn for short periods of time, because long-term wear can decrease the strength of neck muscles. - Medicines: Analgesic are needed in the acute phase. Muscle relaxants are essential for relieving muscle spasms once the acute pain subsides. Neurotropic vitamins like METHYLCOBALAMINE (activated Vit B12) or PREGABALIN will help in alleviating the neuropathic pain. - Cervical traction: may enlarge the disc space, permitting the prolapse to subside. Intermittent cervical traction for not more than 30 minutes at a time. - Physiotherapy: Once the acute phase of pain has subsided, Isometric strengthening exercises of the paravertebral muscles are started. Improving neck strength and flexibility with simple exercises may lessen discomfort and pain. Moist heat can be useful - Epidural steroids: are useful for patients with severe radicular pains in the limbs. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory preparation and so its injections in the epidural space can decrease swelling as well as pain. Your IBS has nothing to do with this problem and both are two different clinical entities. Hope this information is helpful. Good day