What is cervical radiculopathy?

Herniated disk material or arthritic bone spurs can compress nerves and cause cervical radiculopathy. Neck and upper extremity symptoms of this impingement typically include neck pain, radiating arm pain, sensory deficits, and motor dysfunction.

Causes of cervical radiculopathy:

Spondylosis, Disc herniation, Trauma, wear and tear in cervical vertebrae.

Sign & Symptoms:

neck pain, Pain radiates to the arms, paraesthesia, muscle weakness, headaches, scapular pain.

Physiotherapy Management of Cervical Radiculopathy:

Manual therapy:

  • Natural apophyseal glides (NAGs), Sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAGs), Mobilization,Chiropractics, Soft tissue mobilization, Cervical traction, Kinesio taping,

Exercise therapy:

  • Ice and Heat therapy:
    • Applying an Ice pack or Hot pack helps to reduce neck pain. Ice therapy can be done by a Cryo-air machine.
  • Range of motion exercises:
    • Cervical rotation- sit upright in a chair, and then turn your head to one side as far as you can > Once you are at the end of the range, hold this position, and then return your head to the neutral position > Repeat the exercise 10 times to one side, and then 10 times to the other side.
  • Strengthening exercises:
    • isometric exercises
    • isotonic exercises, such as-
      • Chin tucks- is an exercise that involves the lower cervical extension and upper cervical flexion. Your neck nerves may be relieved of pressure by this. Sit upright in a hard-backed chair > Pretend your head is on a shelf, and slowly draw your head backward, straightening out your upper neck > Tuck your chin slightly as you slide your head back > Your eyes should remain level during this exercise; your head should move forward straight.
    • eccentric exercises
    • Theraband exercises
  • Stretching exercises:

Postural re-education:

  • Shoulder rolls- sit upright in a chair, and then slowly lift your shoulders straight up to your ears > Then, roll your shoulders backward, pinching your shoulder blades behind you as you roll.
  • Neck tilt- sit in a chair and slowly tilt your neck forward as far as possible > Hold the position for three seconds, and then return to the neutral position > Repeat 10 times.

Muscle energy technique:

Posture correction exercises:

Aerobic conditioning:

Therapeutic modalities:

  • Combo therapy (ultrasound + TENS), The super inductive system, Mechanical traction machine.