Physical Therapy For Pinched Nerve in Neck

Physical Therapy For Pinched Nerve in Neck

Pinched nerves in the neck can be a frustrating and painful experience for many individuals. This condition, also known as "cervical radiculopathy," can cause numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. Physical therapy can be a useful treatment option for individuals suffering from a pinched nerve in the neck.

In this blog post, we will discuss the role of a doctor of physical therapy (expert in pinched nerves in the neck) in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy, and provide research articles and citations to support our claims.

Physical therapy is a non-invasive treatment that focuses on improving a patient's physical function and reducing their pain. When it comes to cervical radiculopathy, hands-on physical therapy can be beneficial in multiple ways. A doctor of physical therapy can help the patient manage their pain through a variety of techniques, such as manual therapy, stretching exercises, and modalities like electrical stimulation. The physical therapist can also prescribe specific exercises that can help strengthen the neck and shoulder muscles, which can provide support to the cervical spine and alleviate pressure on the nerve roots. In a randomized controlled trial conducted by Kuijper et al. (2010), it was found that physical therapy was more effective than general practitioners care in treating patients with cervical radiculopathy. The study concluded that physical therapy resulted in a significant improvement in pain, function, and quality of life for the participants. The results of this study suggest that physical therapy should be considered as a first-line treatment for individuals suffering from cervical radiculopathy.

In another study, which was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, involving 845 patients by Michaleff et al. (2016), it was concluded that exercise therapy was effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with cervical radiculopathy. The study showed that exercise therapy was more effective than passive treatments like modalities or manual therapy. This study reinforces the importance of active exercise programs as part of physical therapy for patients with cervical radiculopathy. In addition to exercise therapy, manual therapy can also be effective in treating cervical radiculopathy. Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques, such as joint mobilization, that aim to reduce pain, improve mobility, and increase range of motion.

A systematic review of literature conducted by Wong et al. (2014) concluded that manual therapy can be effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with cervical radiculopathy. The authors of the review suggest that manual therapy can be used in conjunction with exercise therapy to provide a comprehensive treatment approach.

In conclusion, physical therapy can be an effective treatment option for individuals suffering from a pinched nerve in the neck. It can help reduce pain, improve function, and enhance the patient's quality of life. Research articles, including a randomized controlled trial and a systematic review of randomized controlled trials, provide evidence of the effectiveness of physical therapy, specifically exercise therapy and manual therapy, in treating cervical radiculopathy. If you or someone you know is suffering from a pinched nerve in the neck, consider consulting with a physical therapist to see if physical therapy is a viable treatment option.

If you are dealing with frustrating, annoying, and painful neck pain, arm pain, and/or numbness and tingling in or around your neck from a pinched nerve, herniated disc, or slipped disc...

Then, call us today at (646)-781-8884. We will answer your call any time 24/7.

To learn how our doctors of physical therapy will:
1.) Find the root cause of your neck pain or pinched nerve, then,
2.) Fix the root cause of your issue.