If you’re experiencing nerve pain from your neck, you might be suffering from a condition called Cervical Spine Radiculopathy.
Neck pain comes in many forms but in this article, we’re going to discuss with more detail “Cervical Spine Radiculopathy”, a condition that we treat here at Physio on Ross. As with any health condition, it’s important to have a qualified health practitioner diagnose the issue correctly from the outset and create a individualized treatment plan that will help get you back to full neck mobility/function and good health as safely and quickly as possible.
What is it?
Cervical Spine Radiculopathy is a more severe form of neck, shoulder, arm and even hand pain. It is neural or nerve related. The symptoms of this condition could be pain, numbness, altered sensation (pins and needles, burning etc.) or even muscle weakness referring down the arm.
What causes it?
Cervical Spine Radiculopathy is caused by any pathology causing irritation or compression of the nerve root. This could be for a variety of reasons but may be from a herniated intervertebral disc or an arthritic bony spur. Each spinal level has a spinal nerve that exits to the left and the right of each level. These nerves supply motor impulses that create movement, but also allow sensation to be felt from the extremities of the body and ascend up the the brain to be analysed. There is a small area for each spinal nerve to pass through called the intervertebral foramen. When there is a reduction of this space due to discal herniation or degenerative changes, there can be impingement on these spinal nerves which will correspond to altered movement or sensation in the bodies extremities .
If I have Cervical Spine Radiculopathy what symptoms am I likely to experience ?
In the neck, irritation or compression of a nerve root will be felt in the shoulder or arm as a sensory change or muscular weakness.
- Sore neck, shoulder, arm or hand
- Altered sensation in these areas – pins and needles, change in temperature, burning, feeling of heaviness
- Muscle weakness
Who is most at risk?
Some of the risk categories for Cervical Spine Radiculopathy include:
- Unfortunately all age groups can be affected by Cervical Spine Radiculopathy; however, this seems to increase for those in their 40s and 50s,
- People who are involved in strenuous activities that put high levels of stress on the cervical spine (e.g. crossfit/weightlifting), and
- Repetitive neck motions or vibrations (e.g. people who operate heavy machinery that vibrates-plant equipment/jackhammers).
Neck Pain Treatment Townsville
If you are experiencing neck pain, or any of the other symptoms listed above, it might be time to see your Physiotherapist for a full review, diagnosis, hands-on treatment and an ongoing treatment plan tailored to your individual needs and goals.
The main goals of Physiotherapy will be to restore movement of the cervical spine, reduce the pain associated with the dysfunction and provide you with the reassurance and confidence you need to restore you to full health for good.
To make a booking at Physio on Ross please call 47282116 or book directly online through our webpage
