How to Ease Your Cervical Radiculopathy Pain

You have neck pain. If it’s diagnosed as cervical radiculopathy, you likely have a herniated disc or disc degeneration in your spine. Your nerve roots become inflamed and send pain signals to your brain. 

These conditions mainly affect people over age 50. You’re seeking relief. What can you do to ease the pain of compressed and irritated nerves? 

Board-certified physical therapist Dr. Mohamed Hablas with Outreach Manual Physical Therapy treats many cases of cervical radiculopathy. Physical therapy helps ease your pain and teaches you how to prevent future attacks of cervical radiculopathy. 

Home remedies and medical treatments for cervical radiculopathy include the following: 

Rest  

You need time to rest. Rest helps reduce the swelling of inflamed tissue and nerves. A hobby or work activity may have contributed to your condition. Golfers are prone to this type of neck pain as well as those who use their bodies to lift, pull, or push heavy objects. Dr. Hablas, or your primary care doctor, writes a note explaining the type of rest needed and its duration. 

Cervical collar

A cervical collar helps take the pressure off your neck while healing. Your neck supports your head, which weighs about 10-12 pounds — as much as a bowling ball. Wearing a cervical collar for a week or two can help ease your discomfort. 

Physical therapy 

Physical therapy is the gold standard for musculoskeletal ailments such as cervical radiculopathy. Dr. Hablas uses gentle massage to expand and relax the constricted muscles. You likely have trigger points in your neck and shoulders. Dr. Hablas also uses trigger point release manually or via injection to relieve your pain. 

To start improving your range of motion, Dr. Hablas directs you to perform gentle movements of your head and neck. As your therapy progresses, you perform strengthening exercises to shore up the muscles that help support and surround your neck. You usually receive an ice treatment on your neck and shoulders at the end of each session. 

Your posture can make cervical radiculopathy worse. Dr. Hablas trains you in maintaining good posture while standing and sitting, which can help prevent future attacks. 

Medication 

You can use over-the-counter pain medication to help calm inflammation in your neck. You shouldn’t use this type of medication longer than two weeks at a time because it can cause damage to your internal organs. 

Ice and heat 

You can apply ice and heat at home. Ice numbs your pain by lessening inflammation. Heat relaxes stiff muscles around your neck and shoulders. 

Cervical epidural steroid injection 

If your neck pain isn’t relieved by more conservative methods, Dr. Hablas can administer an epidural steroid injection at the site of your discomfort. It contains a steroid and anesthetic. The injection goes into the space beside your spinal cord near the inflamed nerve roots. You should start feeling better in 24-72 hours. 

If your neck pain doesn’t resolve within 12 weeks with these conservative and minimally invasive methods, you may need surgery. The good news is that most people with cervical radiculopathy don’t need surgery. 

Call Outreach Manual Physical Therapy or request an appointment through or online portal today if you’ve been diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy.