Physical Therapy Leads To Significant Benefits For Radiating Neck Pain
The spine contains nerves that send messages to and from the brain and all other parts of the body. For this reason, any time one of these nerves is affected, it can lead to problems not only in the spine, but in other body parts as well. One condition that involves spinal nerves is called cervical radiculopathy, in which pain and other symptoms radiate out from the neck to other areas of the body.
A Brief Anatomy Review
The spine is made up of 24 bones called vertebrae that are stacked on top of one another. Together, these bones connect to create a canal that protects the spinal cord from damage. The uppermost portion of the spine that begins at the base of the skull is called the cervical spine. It contains nerves that carry messages between the brain and muscles in the shoulders, arms, and hands. This is achieved through nerve roots that travel through the spinal canal and branch out through openings in the vertebrae called foramen.
Pinched Nerves Cause Radiating Pain
Cervical radiculopathy, which is also referred to as a pinched nerve, occurs any time one of the nerve roots in the neck is compressed or pinched when it branches away from the spinal cord. This is caused by any condition that injures or irritates nerves in the cervical region, including a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease. In most cases, patients with cervical radiculopathy experience a burning pain that starts in the neck and travels down the arm. This pain can get worse from turning or straining the neck. Other symptoms include tingling, as well as weakness or loss of sensation in the shoulders, arms, or hands.
Some patients with cervical radiculopathy will get better on their own over time, while others will continue to be affected by symptoms for extended periods. For patients that fail to improve, conservative treatments—particularly physical therapy—are typically recommended as the first step. A standard physical therapy program for cervical radiculopathy will include a variety of stretching and strengthening exercises, as well as a manual therapy component. Manual therapy involves numerous hands-on mobilization and manipulation techniques that are intended to alleviate pain and improve mobility and function.
Big study conducted to better define effects of physical therapy
To assess the effectiveness of this intervention, a high-quality type of study called a randomized-controlled trial was conducted on patients who had cervical radiculopathy for at least three months, which was defined as neck pain that radiated to only one upper extremity with ≥1 level of root involvement. A total of 28 patients who fit the necessary criteria were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the comparison group.
All patients participated in a verbal education session about pain and a unique program designed by a physical therapist that took place during 6 treatment sessions over 3–5 weeks. Patients in both groups also completed strengthening exercises that targeted the deep flexor muscles of the neck, but the manual therapy component of these programs differed. Patients in the experimental group were treated with a cervical mobilization technique in which the physical therapist applied pressure to various painful areas of the spine for several minutes at a time. For patients in the comparison group, the therapist only applied a minimal amount of pressure to one location of the spine and did not perform the actual cervical mobilization technique used in the experimental group.
Patients with Pinched Nerves in the Neck Did Better
Results showed that patients in the experimental group experienced greater improvements than the comparison group in pain intensity, neck function, and neck range of motion, as well as local pressure hypersensitivity, which means they were less sensitive to stimuli. Based on these findings, it appears that a manual therapy technique frequently used by physical therapists can lead to short-term benefits for this patient population. When combined with the other interventions typically featured in a physical therapy treatment program, the gains are likely even greater for patients.
Contact Us Today for Help with a Pinched Nerve in the Neck
Therefore, if you’re currently bothered by radiating neck pain, it may be time to see a physical therapist, and we can help.
Contact Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to learn more or schedule an appointment today.
