Have you ever had neck pain that shoots down into your arms or fingers? You may be asking yourself how is it that I have neck pain and arm pain at the same time? Are they connected somehow? There is a good chance that they are. The nerves that go to the arms and fingers start in the neck. When these nerves are under pressure, they can cause pain and loss of sensation wherever they travel to. So, let’s see how they are connected and what you can do to get some relief.
What is cervical radiculopathy?
Cervical radiculopathy is one of the most common reasons for neck pain. Radiculopathy is when the nerve is “pinched” or “irritated” at the root where it leaves the spinal canal. This can affect any nerve that exits the spine. When suffering from cervical radiculopathy there is pain in the neck that can shoot down into the shoulders, arms and even down into the fingers. This can also cause numbness or tingling in the arm or hand. This is due to the fact that the nerves that supply the shoulder/arms/fingers originate in the neck.
What causes cervical radiculopathy?
There are many causes of cervical radiculopathy. Some of the most common causes are pinched nerves from a herniated disc, spinal degeneration (arthritis) or even an injury to the neck. Some risk factors include heavy lifting, operating vibrating equipment and trauma (such as a car accident or fall). In rare cases, there can be a lesion, an abnormal growth like a cyst or tumor, present in the canal where the nerve exits which can put pressure on the nerves causing the radicular symptoms.
What are the symptoms of cervical radiculopathy?
Onset of cervical radiculopathy can be immediate or the symptoms can slowly develop over time. Symptoms can be as minimal as having mild neck pain or as severe as having pain that radiates down into the shoulders, arms, and fingers. There can also be numbness or tingling in the affected limbs or pain can be sharp or burning. Cervical range of motion, the ability to move your neck, may also be affected and can be limited due to pain and loss of sensation.
How is cervical radiculopathy diagnosed?
Diagnosis of this condition can be made in multiple ways. The most common way is when a doctor takes a detailed history and performs a physical exam. During the physical exam the doctor will perform tests that will try to recreate the symptoms. This can give the doctor the information they need to make a proper diagnosis. Other ways to diagnose cervical radiulopathy are through imaging such as x-rays and MRI. X-rays can show if there is degeneration within the joints and if the disc spaces are smaller than they should be. MRIs can show if the disc is bulging or herniated. At Apex Chiropractic, we always perform a detailed history and examination before recommending any treatment. In most cases, x-rays are also taken to determine the exact location of the problem and to make sure that chiropractic treatment would be safe to perform.
How to treat cervical radiculopathy?
There are several treatment options for cervical radiculopathy. One of the most common is chiropractic care. When seeing a chiropractor for this condition, the provider will perform adjustments to the cervical spine to correct misalignments of the spine. The adjustment helps remove pressure from the spinal nerves, which helps reduce symptoms and increase mobility. In some cases, cervical decompression can be used as an additional treatment to help take pressure off of the discs in the neck. Cervical decompression helps with stretching out the neck and opening up the disc spaces so that pressure can be relieved from the discs and nerves. Adding in rehabilitation exercises to improve the posture of the neck along with strengthening the muscles in the area is another effective way to treat this condition. These exercises help strengthen and stabilize the spine, helping prevent symptoms from returning in the future.
At Apex Chiropractic, we create specific care plans that help treat cervical radiculopathy. We take a thorough history and perform a detailed exam, along with x-rays, to find out what is causing the problem that you are experiencing. This care plan may include chiropractic adjustments, decompression therapy, and stretches/exercises for the muscles of the neck. If you or someone you know is suffering from cervical radiculopathy, you can schedule an initial consultation and examination by calling the office or scheduling online. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them below and we will be sure to answer them.