Coping with Cervical Radiculopathy
Do you experience pain or a pins-and-needles tingling down your neck into your hands and arms? You may be experiencing cervical radiculopathy. This occurs when a cervical nerve root becomes damaged or inflamed, resulting in changes in your neurological function. This can include numbness, altered reflexes or weakness anywhere from the neck & shoulders, down to your hands and fingertips.
While cervical radiculopathy is a rare condition, the risk of development does increase with age and can occur in adults with arthritis, herniated discs or other injuries. The Asheville Pain doctors at The Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas has a wide range of treatment options available and can help you discover the underlying cause of your pain. Let’s dive into the details of coping with cervical radiculopathy.
What is Cervical Radiculopathy?
Cervical radiculopathy is defined as the irritation of nerve roots near the neck due to pressure, pinching or impact on the spinal cord. This causes pain and neurological symptoms such as motor weakness of the arms and hands as well as sensory deficits.
Check out our Cervical Radiculopathy video right here to learn more about this painful condition.
Common Causes & Symptoms
This condition can result from a variety of problems with the bones and tissues of the spinal column. Here are some of the most common causes our Asheville pain clinic sees:
Herniated disc
Degenerative disc disease
Spinal stenosis
Acute injuries or illness
The symptoms of cervical radiculopathy differ depending on which nerve root is affected. The following symptoms are commonly felt in the shoulders or progress along the entire length of your arm and into your hands and fingers:
Dull to sharp pain
Tingling
Numbness
Weakness
Automatic reflex deficiency
Many cervical radiculopathy patients also complain about reduced ability to perform everyday tasks such as gripping or lifting objects, writing, typing on a computer or even getting dressed.
Coping with Cervical Radiculopathy
Lifestyle modifications can be effective to alleviate symptoms of cervical radiculopathy:
Practice regular neck, shoulder and back stretching
Heat and/or ice therapy
Avoid prolonged sitting or standing in place
Avoid bending and rotating your neck
Adjust your workplace environment and ergonomic adjustments to reduce strenuous neck and back positions during hours of sitting. Check out our blog all about posture and improving your office environment for long durations of sitting.
Pain Treatments for Cervical Radiculopathy
Many patients find optimal relief with a combination of treatments rather than one single approach:
Physical therapy
Nerve block injections
Nerve stimulation
Asheville, NC Chronic Pain Clinics
At the Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas, we know the impact that chronic conditions like Cervical Radiculopathy can have on your life. However, it doesn’t have to – we can help! Give us a call today to schedule your first appointment.
Get in touch with us by calling 828-483-4438
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