Cervical Radiculopathy Physiotherapy in Surrey | Neck and Arm Pain Care

What is this condition?

Cervical radiculopathy happens when a neck nerve is irritated or compressed as it exits the spine. This can cause:

• Neck pain that may spread to the shoulder, arm, or hand
• Tingling or “pins and needles”
• Numbness or a feeling of weakness in the arm or hand

At ARKA Physiotherapy Clinic, we provide assessment, education, and an active plan to help you move with more confidence.

Background

Common causes include:

• A disc bulge or herniation
• Age-related narrowing of the space where the nerve travels (foraminal stenosis)
• Swelling or strain after poor posture or a sudden movement

Symptoms often begin in the neck and shoulder and may travel down the arm following a typical nerve root or nerve pattern.

How body mechanics change

In a healthy neck and upper back:

• The natural neck curve is balanced
• Neck joints glide smoothly
• Deep neck flexor muscles support the head and neck
• The area between the neck and upper back moves well
• Shoulder blade muscles work in good coordination

With cervical radiculopathy, people often experience:

• Forward-head posture and stiffness at the junction between neck and upper back
• Reduced or uneven movement between neck segments
• Protective muscle guarding
• Reduced endurance of deep neck flexor and shoulder blade stabilizer muscles
• Increased nerve sensitivity, with pain when looking up or turning to the side

Symptoms you may notice

• Neck pain with arm pain, tingling, or numbness in hand and fingers 
• “Electric” or shooting pain, 
• Reduced grip strength, or reduced hand dexterity
• Pain that worsens with looking up or turning; sometimes eased by resting the hand on top of the head
• Sleep disturbance
• Difficulty with desk work or driving

What your physiotherapist observes

• Limited neck movement, especially looking up and turning
• Relief of arm symptoms with gentle neck traction during testing
• Changes in skin sensation, muscle strength, or reflexes in the arm or hand
• Stiffness in the neck and at the junction between neck and upper back
• Tenderness around neck joints and muscles
• Changes in neck position sense and shoulder blade control

Common triggers

• Long periods at a desk or screen
• Awkward sleep posture
• Sudden neck movements
• Previous whiplash injury
• Heavy or overhead work
• Increased muscle tension related to stress

Risk factors

• Ages thirty to sixty-five
• Age-related changes in the neck
• Repetitive forward-head posture
• Low activity level
• Smoking history
• Previous neck injury

Conditions with similar symptoms (your physiotherapist at ARKA Physiotherapy clinic will screen for these)

• Cervical myelopathy (spinal cord involvement)
• Shoulder conditions such as rotator cuff irritation or tear
• Peripheral nerve entrapments (for example, carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel)
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Pain referred from neck facet joints
• Shingles
• Heart or internal organ conditions that refer pain to the arm or chest

How we think about classification

• By cause: disc-related versus narrowing of the nerve passage due to bony changes
• By irritability: high (easily aggravated), moderate, or low
• By level: common patterns relate to cervical levels C5 to C8

Helpful habits (and what to avoid)

Do:

• Keep gently moving within comfort
• Follow your home exercise plan
• Follow advises given by your physiotherapist
• Use supported sitting and sleeping positions
• Adjust your work station 
• Take short movement breaks during desk work
• Adjust your pillow during sleep

Avoid:

• Pushing into sharp or spreading arm pain
• Heavy overhead lifting, and reaching. 
• Prolonged slouching
• Self-manipulating your neck
• Ignoring progressive weakness or numbness

Your care pathway at ARKA Physiotherapy Clinic

Timelines vary by individual. Your plan is adjusted to your goals and how your symptoms respond.

Phase 1: Settle symptoms and protect sensitive tissues (approximately zero to two weeks)

• Clear explanation of your condition and positions that feel easier
• Activity modification rather than bed rest
• Gentle neck movement within a comfortable range
• “Chin tuck” practice to activate deep neck flexor muscles
• Gentle nerve-gliding exercises within a pain-free range
• Heat or clinic-based electrical pain-relief devices, when appropriate, as short-term supports

Phase 2: Restore movement and control (approximately two to six weeks)

• Hands-on techniques to improve movement in the neck, the junction between neck and upper back, and the upper back
• Endurance training for deep neck flexor muscles
• Shoulder blade control and strengthening (for example, rows and lower trapezius work)
• Progressed nerve-gliding exercises
• Workstation coaching for desk, laptop, and monitor setup

Phase 3: Strengthen and return to full activity (approximately six to twelve or more weeks)

• Progressive strengthening for the neck and shoulder complex
• Postural endurance training for daily life and work
• Gradual return to your tasks at work, sport, or hobbies
• A prevention plan covering breaks, workload, and sleep strategies

If symptoms do not improve as expected or if neurological signs progress, your physiotherapist will coordinate medical review.

When to see a doctor (urgent signs)

• Severe trauma to the neck
• Progressive weakness in the arm or hand
• New hand clumsiness or changes in walking
• New bowel or bladder changes
• Fever or feeling unwell without a clear reason
• Unexplained weight loss
• Night pain that is not relieved by rest

When to see a physiotherapist

• Neck and arm pain, tingling, or numbness
• Symptoms lasting longer than one to two weeks
• Difficulty with desk work or overhead tasks
• Recurrent “pinched nerve” episodes
• Pain eased by resting your hand on your head

How treatment decisions are made at ARKA Physiotherapy Clinic

• Assessment: We take a thorough history; map your symptoms; check what eases and aggravates; screen for urgent signs/red flags; and, when appropriate, use clinical tests such as the Spurling test, the cervical distraction test, the upper limb tension test, rotation range of motion, and strength, reflex, and sensation checks.
• Plan: Education and exercise are first-line. We add hands-on techniques for the neck and upper back as needed, deep neck flexor and shoulder blade endurance training, nerve-gliding exercises, ergonomic setup, and graded activity. A short trial of traction may be considered only if it clearly reduces arm pain during testing. Your plan is individualized and timelines are reviewed with you.
• Monitoring: We track your progress with tools such as the Neck Disability Index, pain ratings, grip or strength measures, and the pattern of symptoms.
• Escalation: If neurological signs progress or recovery stalls, we will discuss medical referral.

What to expect from your visits

• Initial visit: Forty-five to sixty minutes for assessment, education, and a starter plan
• Follow-up visits: Commonly one to two times per week for four to six weeks, then tapered as you improve
• Home program: Daily exercises, workstation strategies, and activity pacing that fit your day

Ready to take the next step?

If you want a clear plan and practical tools you can use right away, book an assessment at ARKA Physiotherapy Clinic. We will explain your condition, set goals with you, and guide your return to the activities that matter.

References (Vancouver style)

1. Blanpied PR, et al. Neck pain: Revision 2017 clinical practice guidelines. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(7):A1–A83.
2. Wainner RS, et al. Reliability and diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for cervical radiculopathy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2003;28(1):52–59.
3. Bussières AE, et al. Spinal manipulative therapy and other conservative treatments for low back and neck pain: Evidence-based guideline. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2008;31(7):659–674.