Cervical Radiculopathy: Recognizing the Signs of a Pinched Nerve and How to Find Relief

Cervical radiculopathy, or pinched nerve, is a damaged or compressed nerve. It develops when a nerve root is injured or inflamed. The nerve root is the part where a nerve branches off from the spinal cord. A pinched nerve in the neck may feel like pins and needles. It might also cause pain and weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand. Exercises for a C7 pinched nerve focus on reducing pressure on the nerve and improving neck and arm mobility.

Pinched_nerve_symptoms

Common symptoms include

• ● pins and needles
• ● muscle weakness
• ● burning sensation
• ● numbness
• ●pain that radiates outward
• ●pain when moving your neck or head
• ●poor neck range of motion.

Cervical Radiculopathy Exercises

• ■ Gentle Stretches:
• 》Cervical Retraction (Chin Tucks):
• 》Neck Tilts:
• 》Neck Extensions
• 》Shoulder Blade Squeezes
• 》Shoulder Rolls
• ■ Nerve Glides
• 》Median Nerve Glide
• 》Ulnar Nerve Glide
• ■ Strengthening Exercises:
• 》Scapular Rows
• 》Wall Angels
• 》Deep Neck Flexor Exercises
• 》Chin Tuck with Neck Extension
• 》Shoulder Rolls
• ■ Others

Precautions

• 》rest
• 》soft cervical collar
• 》hot or cold compress
• 》practicing good posture
• 》nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Adjunct therapies for Pinched Nerve

》acupuncture

》massage

》yoga