Understanding Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy is the medical term for a pinched or compressed nerve root in the neck (cervical spine). This compression can cause symptoms that radiate far beyond your neck, traveling down your shoulder, arm, forearm, and into your hand or fingers.

Because the nerves branching from the cervical spine control sensations and muscles in your upper extremities, a pinch in the neck can feel like a deep ache, electrical shock, or numbness in your hand.

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Symptoms of a Pinched Neck Nerve

Unlike local neck muscle soreness, cervical radiculopathy has a distinct neurological pattern:

• Radiating Pain: A sharp, burning, or electrical pain that travels down the path of the compressed nerve (often down the outer arm, elbow, or fingers).
• Sensory Changes: Numbness, tingling, or a "pins and needles" sensation in a specific part of the arm, hand, or fingers.
• Motor Weakness: Loss of strength in specific muscles (like difficulty lifting the arm, weak grip, or dropping objects).
• Reflex Changes: Diminished reflexes in the bicep, tricep, or forearm.

Symptoms are often aggravated by turning, tilting, or extending your neck.

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Why Do Cervical Nerves Get Pinched?

The two most common causes of cervical nerve compression are:

1. Cervical Disc Herniation: The shock-absorbing discs between your neck bones can bulge or rupture, pressing directly onto the nerve root exiting the spinal cord.
2. Cervical Foraminal Stenosis: As we age, natural wear and tear can lead to bone spurs (osteophytes) and narrowing of the small holes (foramina) where the nerves exit the spine, pinching the nerve channel.

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How Sparq Physiotherapy Restores Nerve Function

At Sparq Physiotherapy Clinic, our goal is to open up the neural pathway and relieve inflammation around the nerve root.

Our treatment pathway includes:

• Manual Cervical Traction: Our skilled therapists use hands-on traction techniques to gently separate the vertebrae, reducing pressure on the pinched nerve.
• Nerve Glide/Flossing Exercises: Specialized movements designed to help the nerve glide smoothly through its anatomical pathways, reducing tension and pain.
• Cervical and Upper Thoracic Mobilization: Gently mobilizing stiff joints in your neck and upper back to improve spinal mechanics.
• Deep Neck Flexor Strengthening: Building endurance in the muscles that support your neck posture, taking the load off your spinal joints.

Stop Ignoring Arm Numbness and Pain

Nerve compression in the neck can become chronic and lead to permanent muscle weakness if ignored. Early intervention is essential to protect the nerve and restore full function.

Book your cervical assessment today using the form below to start your recovery.