Cervical Radiculopathy (Nerve Root Irritation): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
What Is Cervical Radiculopathy?
Cervical radiculopathy is a condition where a nerve root in the neck becomes compressed or irritated, often due to a disc herniation, joint inflammation, or bone spurs. This pressure on the nerve can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that radiates from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand. This radiating nerve pain is known as radicular pain.
It’s commonly referred to as a pinched nerve in the neck and is a frequent cause of arm pain, especially in people who spend long hours at a desk, drive frequently, or have poor posture.
What Causes Cervical Radiculopathy?
Cervical radiculopathy is typically caused by conditions that compress or inflame the spinal nerves, such as:
- ✅ Herniated or bulging cervical discs
- ✅ Degenerative disc disease
- ✅ Bone spurs (osteophytes) from arthritis
- ✅ Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- ✅ Trauma or whiplash injuries
- ✅ Poor posture or forward head position
- ✅ Repetitive strain from looking down at phones, laptops, or long drives
Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy and Radicular Pain
Symptoms usually affect one side of the neck and arm and may include:
- Sharp or burning pain radiating from the neck to the shoulder, arm, or hand
- Numbness or tingling in the fingers or forearm
- Muscle weakness in the arm or grip
- Neck stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Pain that worsens with head turning, looking up, or prolonged sitting
If you’re feeling shooting pain down the arm or have trouble gripping objects, it’s likely related to nerve root irritation.
How We Treat Cervical Radiculopathy Without Surgery
The good news is that most cases of cervical radiculopathy can be effectively treated with non-surgical, conservative care. At our clinic, we focus on relieving nerve pressure, reducing inflammation, and restoring proper movement patterns through:
- ✅ Manual therapy and joint mobilization
- ✅ Nerve gliding exercises to improve nerve mobility
- ✅ Postural correction and ergonomic guidance
- ✅ Targeted stretching and strengthening exercises
- ✅ Education on daily movement and activity modification
- ✅ Ice or heat therapy for inflammation and pain relief
We offer same-day care and emergency appointments for patients with severe nerve pain or sudden onset of symptoms.
Why Early Treatment Is Important
When left untreated, cervical radiculopathy can lead to long-term nerve damage, muscle weakness, or chronic pain. Getting early physical therapy helps to:
- Reduce pain and inflammation naturally
- Improve neck and nerve mobility
- Prevent worsening symptoms or permanent nerve damage
- Restore full function and quality of life
Struggling with Radiating Neck and Arm Pain?
If you’re experiencing shooting arm pain, tingling, or weakness, you might be dealing with cervical radiculopathy or radicular nerve pain. Our experienced therapists provide safe, non-invasive treatments to get you feeling better—fast.
Contact us today to schedule a same-day assessment and start your personalized recovery plan.