5 physical therapy treatments that may benefit the pinched nerve in your neck

If you have pain that radiates from your neck down your arm, numbness or tingling, or pain that worsens with neck movements, you may have a pinched nerve. Also known as cervical radiculopathy, a pinched nerve in your neck occurs when the root nerve in your cervical spine becomes compressed or irritated. Approximately 85 out of 100,000 people experience a pinched nerve in their neck each year. This condition can result from an injury, repetitive strain, or the aging process. 

While cervical radiculopathy can be very painful, the good news is that physical therapy may be able to help. A physical therapist can help determine the most appropriate techniques to alleviate your neck pain safely and effectively. Your physical therapy may include some of the treatments listed below to help support your recovery from a pinched nerve in your neck. 

5 physical therapy treatments for a pinched nerve in your neck

Wondering what techniques may alleviate your neck pain? When guided by a physical therapist, these five treatments may help.

1. Manual therapy

With manual therapy, your physical therapist takes a hands-on approach, using massage-like movements to help treat your neck. It can help ease neck pain, reduce inflammation and increase range of motion. 

2. Therapeutic exercises

During therapeutic exercises, your physical therapist guides you through movements designed to help improve mobility and reduce pain. These benefits can be achieved by strengthening the muscles in your neck and reducing the pressure on your pinched nerve.

3. Postural training

Through postural training, your physical therapist guides you through exercises to help improve posture. The goal of this training is to enhance the alignment of your neck and back, which can reduce pressure on your pinched nerve. 

4. Electrical stimulation therapy

By sending mild electrical currents to your neck, electrical stimulation therapy can ease pain by releasing endorphins, hormones that alleviate pain. This therapy can also help block pain signals to the brain and reduce inflammation and muscle spasms. 

5. Neuromuscular reeducation training

Through neuromuscular reeducation training, special exercises and techniques help improve the communication between the brain, nerves and muscles. As a result, this treatment can restore the neuromuscular connection disrupted by the pinched nerve and alleviate pain.

Find help relieving your neck pain at REPAIR SI

While many people experience pinched nerve pain, there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment. At REPAIR SI, our highly knowledgeable and experienced physical therapists can create a safe and effective treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs. We can help relieve symptoms from the pinched nerve, so you can begin working toward improved comfort and function.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.