Cervical radiculopathy (nerve pain)

Cervical Radiculopathy is characterized as numbness or tingling in the upper body, or sciatica of the neck. At Rose Physical Therapy here in Washington DC, our physical therapists teach clients a variety of techniques to improve their well-being to help relieve radiculopathy or numbness and tingling in the neck, arms, or hands. We work with you during our one on one treatment sessions to identify areas of need or concern, and then implement a plan of care that is specific and personalized to you.

Numbness and tingling in the upper extremities can occur for many different reasons. Some casues of cervical radiculopathy that are treated by physical therapy are bulging or herniated discs, pinched nerves, entrapped nerves from tight muscles, or neural tension.

What is Cervical Radiculopathy?

Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root coming off the spinal cord becomes compressed, which can occur for various reasons. IIt may occur when a cervical disc herniates due to trauma, or spontaneously as a result of arthritis or decreased disc height in the neck region.

The cervical spine consists of 7 cervical vertebrae (the bones that form the neck region) and each vertebra is separated by a gel-like disc that provide shock absorption for the spine. The spinal cord travels through a canal in the cervical vertebrae. Spinal nerve roots extend from the spinal cord and branch off going to specific locations in the arm. The spinal nerves send signals to our muscles for movement as well as sensations that we feel in the entire arm. The spinal cord is like a tree trunk, and the spinal nerves are like the tree branches. If an injury, impingement or abnormal pressure is placed on a branch near the trunk, everything along that branch will be affected.

Spinal nerves can be injured or impinged by:

Arthritis or disc wear-and-tear with age
Herniated or bulging discs from trauma or degeneration
Spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spaces in which the nerves travel

When the spinal nerves are impinged, they cannot properly send messages to the muscles from the brain nor receive proper sensation from the specific arm location the nerve travels. Everywhere the spinal nerve travels can be affected, which is why a pinched nerve in the neck can cause pain, weakness, and loss of sensation in the arm, even though the pinch is in the cervical region.

How Does It Feel?

Symptoms of cervical radiculopathy vary depending on the nerve root that is injured or impinged, and commonly occur on the same side of the body as the affected nerve. The symptoms can include:

Pain in the neck, shoulder blade, shoulder, upper chest, or arm, with pain possibly radiating into the fingers following the path of the involved nerve root.
Pain described as "sharp" or "pins-and-needles" or “popping sensation” in cervical region.
General dull ache or numbness anywhere along the pathway of the nerve.
Weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand.
Pain that worsens with certain neck movements.
Pain that improves when the arm is lifted over and behind the head (relieving tension on the spinal nerve).

These symptoms may also be specific to the nerve root involved:

C5 nerve root (between cervical vertebrae C4-C5): weakness in the deltoid muscle (front and side of the shoulder) and upper arm; shoulder pain and numbness
C6 nerve root (between cervical vertebrae C5-C6): weakness in the bicep muscle (front of the upper arm) and wrist muscles; numbness on the thumb side of the hand
C7 nerve root (between cervical vertebrae C6-C7): weakness in the triceps muscle (the back of the upper arm and wrist); numbness and tingling in the back of the arm and the middle finger of the affected hand
C8 nerve root (between vertebrae C7-T1): weakness with hand grip; numbness in the little finger

The most common nerve root levels for this condition are C6 and C7, but your individual condition will be evaluated in a one-on-one session at one of our offices in Washington, DC.

How Is It Diagnosed?

At Rose Physical Therapy we begin with a comprehensive evaluation that includes gently testing the movement of your neck and arms. The therapist will check your tendon reflexes and strength, and conduct special tests on your neck and upper extremity to determine which spinal nerve root(s) may be involved, and to rule out other conditions.

How Can Your Physical Therapist Help?

Physical therapy can help reduce numbness and tingling and restore function and movement exercises. Techiques used at Rose Physical Therapy to treat cervical radiculopathy include McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), Posture and Ergonomic assessment, Graston, Trigger Point Dry Needling, Active Release Techniques (ART), and many other specialized treatments. At Rose, you can expect your physical therapist to work one-on-one with you to create a specific plan of care and treatments tailored to your needs.The treatment plan may include:

Pain Management. The first goal is to reduce the pain and inflammation in the area. Ice packs applied to the neck and scapular (shoulder blade) region during the first 24 to 48 hours following the onset of pain, help reduce inflammation. Moist heat can be used after this time period to help the surrounding muscles relax. Your physical therapist may advise you to wear a soft cervical collar at times throughout the day, to allow the neck to relax. A cervical contoured pillow may be recommended to properly support the neck, and allow you to sleep more comfortably.

Manual Therapy. Your physical therapist may use manual therapy techniques, such as manual cervical traction, to relieve pressure in the cervical (neck) region. This procedure can provide immediate relief of pain and numbness radiating into the arm. Gentle massage may also be performed on the muscles of the cervical spine and scapular (shoulder blade) region. This technique helps the muscles relax and improves circulation to the area, promoting healing and pain relief.

Posture Education. Posture education is an important part of rehabilitation. Your physical therapist may suggest adjustments to your workstation and work habits, to promote good posture to protect your neck. In the early stages of recovery this may mean sitting only 15 to 20 minutes at a time. You will also receive instructions on how to bend, reach, and lift throughout the day in safe positions that place minimal pressure on your spinal discs.

Range-of-Motion Exercises. Your physical therapist will teach you gentle cervical mobility exercises to relieve your symptoms, and allow you to return to normal movement. In the beginning stages of recovery, it is important that none of these exercises increase the pain radiating down into your arm. It is important to communicate your symptoms accurately to your physical therapist. If you spend many hours sitting at a desk during your workday, your neck may become stiff. Your therapist will teach you neck stretches to take pressure off of your neck from extended periods of sitting, to help improve your mobility.

Strengthening Exercises. Your physical therapist will help you determine which muscle groups need to be strengthened based on which spinal nerves are involved in your particular case. When pain no longer radiates down your arm, you may begin more aggressive strengthening exercises. Neck stability (strengthening) exercises will also be performed. You will receive a home-exercise program to continue strengthening your neck, shoulder, arm, and upper back long after your formal physical therapy has ended.

Functional Training. As your symptoms improve, your physical therapist will work on functional exercises to help you return to your job, sport, or other daily activities. For example, if your job duties require overhead reaching, pushing, pulling, and long periods of sitting, you will be taught ways to perform these tasks to reduce undue stress to the neck.

Rose Physical Therapy is here in Washington, DC to help!

If you are experiencing radiculopathy or numbness or tingling, come into Rose Physical Therapy Group for an evaluation and steps to success. Physical Therapists at our downtown Washington DC location near Dupont Circle, or our office near Navy Yard (a few blocks from Capitol Hill) in Southeast Washington, DC. Come in and let us help you get back to doing the things you like pain free!