Cervical Radiculopathy (Trapped Nerve in the Neck)

Overview

Cervical radiculopathy is the medical name for a "trapped" or irritated nerve root in the neck. Nerve roots leave the spinal cord between each pair of neck vertebrae and travel down the arm. If one of them is squeezed or inflamed, you feel symptoms along its path: pain, pins and needles, numbness or weakness in the shoulder, arm or hand, often on one side only.

The arm symptoms are frequently more troubling than the neck pain itself. Many people describe a deep ache in the shoulder blade with a sharp or electric feeling travelling down the arm, and some find that resting the hand on top of the head gives relief.

The good news is that most cases improve over a few weeks to months without surgery. The role of physiotherapy and chiropractic care is to calm the irritation, keep the neck and nerve moving, and rebuild strength while the nerve recovers.

Causes and risk factors

• A disc bulge pressing on the nerve root, more common in people under 50
• Age-related narrowing of the small openings the nerves pass through (see cervical spondylosis)
• Repeated neck extension or rotation, for example in some sports or trades
• Heavy lifting or an awkward sleeping position that irritates an already sensitive nerve
• Smoking and low physical activity, which are linked to disc health

How we may be able to help

We start with a detailed assessment to confirm that the symptoms come from a nerve root, work out which level is involved and rule out anything that needs urgent medical attention. We test sensation, reflexes and strength in the arm, and look at how the neck moves.

Treatment may include gentle mobilisation or traction-style techniques to take pressure off the nerve, nerve-gliding exercises, and chiropractic treatment for stiff neighbouring segments where appropriate. Interferential therapy may help with pain and muscle guarding in the early stage. As symptoms settle we add strength work for the neck, shoulder blade and arm. If you need imaging or a specialist referral, an online private GP consultation can be arranged through the clinic.

What you can do at home

• Avoid positions that bring on the arm symptoms, especially looking up and turning towards the painful side
• Try resting the forearm on a cushion or placing your hand on your head if it eases the arm pain
• Keep the neck moving gently within comfort; long periods of total rest tend to slow recovery
• Adjust your pillow so the neck stays level when lying on your side
• Keep a note of any change in strength or numbness so you can tell us or your GP
• Speak to your GP or pharmacist about pain relief if sleep is being disturbed