What We Want You to Know About Cervical Radiculopathy

 What We Want You to Know About Cervical Radiculopathy

Dealing with neck pain is bad enough, but when a pinched nerve causes it, the discomfort doesn’t stay isolated in one spot. Instead, it can radiate down through your shoulders, arms, and even into your chest. This condition, called cervical radiculopathy, can cause pain that interferes with daily chores, work, sleep, and your overall quality of life.

Here at BioHealth Pain Management, Dr. Rostam Khoshar helps patients find relief from the pain and inconvenience of cervical radiopathy. 

Nerve compression and cervical radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy occurs when something causes a nerve root in your neck to be compressed, leading to symptoms that travel along the nerve's pathway. The symptoms of pain or tingling often show up in areas of your spine that do the most work, like your neck (cervical spine) and lower back (lumbar spine).

When a cervical nerve root gets pinched, the effects aren’t limited to the neck. You might experience numbness, tingling, pain, or even weakness that radiates into your shoulders, arms, or chest. For example, tingling in your fingers or aching in your shoulder might seem unrelated but could be signs of a nerve issue in your neck.

Wear and tear from aging is usually the underlying cause of neck radiculopathy. Conditions like bone spurs or disc degeneration can lead to nerve compression. The neck's anatomy, with its seven vertebrae and eight pairs of nerve roots, offers a lot of potential for disruption.

Getting a proper diagnosis 

If your symptoms extend beyond your neck, Dr. Khoshar and our team can help you pinpoint the problem. When you visit BioHealth Pain Management, we start by reviewing your symptoms and medical history in detail. This allows us to determine the connection between your discomfort and potential nerve involvement.

From there, we may use advanced imaging, like MRIs or CT scans, to closely examine your cervical spine. We also perform specific tests, including sensory checks, reflex assessments, and compression tests, to confirm whether a pinched nerve is the source of your symptoms.

Treatment tailored to you

The good news if you do get a diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy is that it’s highly treatable.

Many people get significant relief from conservative treatments, including physical therapy, oral medications, and pain injections. A cervical collar can help your neck rest while you’re undergoing treatment.

With physical therapy, we teach you exercises that strengthen and stretch your neck to reduce nerve pressure. Targeted pain injections reduce inflammation and ease your pain. 

If these options don’t resolve the problem, we may recommend surgical solutions to relieve the compression and restore your comfort. Our team works closely with you to determine the best approach based on your needs and goals.

Cervical radiculopathy doesn’t have to take over your life. With the proper diagnosis and treatment, you can find relief from pain and get back to doing the things you love. Call one of the BioHealth Pain Management locations to make an appointment. Let us help you uncover the root of your neck problem and guide you toward lasting comfort.

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