If a “Trapped Nerve” is giving you a pain in the neck, get yourself  in-the-know with our guide.

In this article (4 minute read):

• Is My Neck Pain Because of a Trapped Nerve?

• What is Cervical Radiculopathy (Trapped Nerve?)

• What Causes Cervical Radiculopathy? How Long Does A Trapped Nerve Last?

• What Can I Do To Help a Cervical Radiculopathy?

• Do I Need a Scan For My Trapped Nerve?

• Can Chiropractors Help With a Trapped Nerve (+ Discount Code!)

Is My Neck and Shoulder Pain Because of a Trapped Nerve?

If you're experiencing neck or shoulder pain accompanied by symptoms such as radiating pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arm or hand, it's possible that you may be suffering from cervical radiculopathy. But not all radiating pain is a trapped nerve. You should consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis. They can conduct a thorough examination, review your medical history, and may recommend other diagnostic tests if necessary. Other things that can cause neck and shoulder or arm pain include:

• Neck Facet Joint Sprains

• Rotator Cuff Injuries

• Muscle Strains

• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

• Liver, Gallbladder or Spleen problems

• Angina & Heart Attacks

… So it’s best to leave the diagnosis to the experts!

What is Cervical Radiculopathy?

Cervical radiculopathy, sometimes called a “trapped nerve”, is a condition that occurs when a nerve in the neck becomes compressed, stretched or otherwise irritated. This can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness in the arm or hand.

What Causes Cervical Radiculopathy?

The causes of cervical radiculopathy can include whiplash, herniated discs, or age-related changes in the spine, but the cause is usually more innocuous. The vast majority of cases will not need any major intervention to resolve as the body will heal itself given time.

When Can I Expect to Feel Better?

The recovery timeline for cervical radiculopathy can vary depending on the severity of the condition. In mild cases, recovery may take only a few weeks, while more severe cases may take several months or longer to fully recover.

How Can I Help Ease a Trapped Nerve?

While cervical radiculopathy can be very painful and challenging to manage, there are several steps you can take to help alleviate symptoms and improve your condition.

Seek Professional Help: Consult with a healthcare provider, such as a chiropractor, who specializes in spinal health. They can assess your symptoms, diagnose your condition accurately, and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Stay Active: Gentle exercise like walking, swimming or cycling can be useful where other forms of exercise may aggravate symptoms. Keeping active helps your body dampen the pain, and keep the healing period as short as possible. Movement is medicine, motion is lotion!

Follow Treatment Recommendations: Adhere to the treatment plan prescribed by your healthcare provider, which may include chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic exercises, spinal decompression, and lifestyle modifications. 

Painkillers: GPs will be quick to provide stronger pain relief than is available over the counter when they spot a cervical radiculopathy. Unduly suffering won’t make the healing journey any quicker or easier!

How Do Chiropractors Assess Trapped Nerves?

If you come to our clinic with neck and arm pain, we will:

• Take a thorough medical history, including past injuries, surgeries, and lifestyle factors that may contribute to cervical radiculopathy.

• Conduct a thorough physical examination to evaluate range of motion, muscle strength, reflexes, and sensation in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.

• Perform orthopaedic and neurological tests to assess for signs of nerve compression or irritation.

Taking the time to do a careful examination will help us to accurately diagnose your problem and put together a plan to get you healthy again.

Do I Need a Scan for My Neck Pain?

Probably not, as our blog article discusses here.

The vast majority of neck & arm pain, cervical radiculopathy or not, resolves within around 12 weeks. A scan of some sort may be necessary if:

• An initial course of normal treatment has failed to improve the symptoms

• There is a traumatic onset and/or suspicion of a fracture

• The symptoms are particularly complex or there is profound weakness in the arm

High levels of pain alone are not enough to warrant imaging in cases of cervical radiculopathy.

Can Chiropractors Help With Trapped Nerves?

Yes! Chiropractors can accurately diagnose your problem and give you the best possible advice to get you back to where you want to be. If you or someone you know has a trapped nerve, book an appointment now. If you use the code NERVE24 when booking online, we’ll give you 10% off your first visit.