When you’re experiencing pain, tingling, or weakness in your arm, it’s natural to think that your arm or shoulder is the source of the problem. In many cases, however, the issue is a pinched nerve in your neck, otherwise known as cervical radiculopathy.
Ryan Yang, our resident expert on pinched nerve neck treatments, focuses on identifying the true source of your symptoms and delivering a targeted approach that supports lasting relief and long-term outcomes.
What is Cervical Radiculopathy?
When asked, “What is cervical radiculopathy?”, the simplest answer is that it’s a pinched nerve in your neck. The pain in your arm is referred pain because the irritated or compressed nerve in your neck sends signals along its entire pathway to your shoulder, arm, and hand.
Symptoms you may experience with this condition include:
- Sharp, burning, or radiating pain travelling down your arm.
- Tingling, pins and needles, or an altered sensation in your hand or fingers.
- Numbness or reduced feeling along your arm or into your hand.
- Weakness affecting your shoulder, arm, or grip strength.
- Changing symptoms with neck movements or certain positions.
- Pain or discomfort travelling below your elbow into your hand.
- Neck stiffness and arm symptoms at the same time.
- Relief when your neck is supported, or pressure is reduced.
What Causes a Pinched Nerve in Your Neck?
Several factors can contribute to cervical radiculopathy, either developing gradually or more suddenly. These include:
- Disc bulges or herniations pressing on a nerve in your neck.
- Joint stiffness or degeneration in your cervical spine.
- Poor posture, especially with prolonged sitting or screen use.
- Repetitive strain or heavy lifting.
- Sudden movements or trauma.
Pinched Nerve in Your Neck: Diagnosis
Diagnosing cervical radiculopathy involves understanding your symptoms, assessing your movements, and identifying which nerve may be affected. Imaging is not always required, as a thorough clinical assessment often provides clear direction for Ryan to make a diagnosis.
Pinched Nerve in Your Neck: Treatment
Treatment of a pinched nerve in your neck may vary depending on the severity of your symptoms and how your body responds to different techniques. A combination of approaches is often used to reduce your pain, restore movement, and support long-term recovery.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy plays a central role in pinched nerve neck treatments because it relieves pressure on the nerve, improves mobility in your neck, arm and shoulder, and restores strength.
Medications
Certain medications, such as gabapentin or pregabalin, may help reduce nerve-related pain associated with cervical radiculopathy.
Injections
Spinal injections reduce inflammation around the affected nerve, providing temporary or sometimes longer-lasting relief depending on the underlying cause.
Surgery
Surgery may relieve nerve compression when symptoms persist, helping restore the movement, strength, and function in your neck when other treatments have been ineffective.
Ryan’s Approach to Cervical Radiculopathy
At our Newport clinic, Ryan takes a thoughtful and personalised approach to treating cervical radiculopathy. As a physiotherapist, Ryan focuses on restoring ease of movement as part of your recovery and overall wellbeing; however, he looks beyond your symptoms to understand what matters most in your day-to-day life, customising your treatment to suit your needs.
Using evidence-based treatment strategies, Ryan focuses on:
• Reducing your pain and nerve sensitivity.
• Restoring movement in your neck and upper body.
• Improving the strength and stability in your neck.
• Supporting a gradual return to work, sport, and daily activities.
Find Relief From Arm Pain
If you’re suffering from arm pain, an early diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy helps prevent it from worsening while supporting a faster recovery. Working with an experienced physiotherapist like Ryan ensures your pinched nerve neck treatment is personalised to your unique needs and focused on helping you return to the activities that matter most.
Call our Newport clinic today to book your appointment or enquire online to get started.