The cervical spine refers to the first seven vertebrae of the top of the spinal column. There are nerve roots that travel from the cervical cord in the spine to throughout the arm to the hands and fingers.
These nerves supply feelings in the skin all the way from your shoulders down to your fingertips. When a nerve in the neck is irritated cervical radiculopathy can occur. This is also sometimes referred to as a pinched nerve.
The cause is usually a bone spur or herniation of a disc. It presses against an inflamed nerve root. In older individuals, it can be due to normal degenerative changes in the discs over time. A pinched or irritated nerve cannot work properly and is always sending out distress signals which translate by the brain into pain.
This is where it gets confusing to diagnose, especially self-diagnose. Though the problem lies in the neck, the symptom and pain are felt where ever the pinched off nerve travels to. This can be in the shoulder, arm, or hand.
Symptoms may include:
- muscular weakness
- Numbness
- Tingling your arms or hands
- Pain that is deep and dull
- Pain that is sharp
- Pain that shoots and travels
- pain in arms, hands or shoulders and even into the neck
This misguided signal travels along the path of the nerve. Cervical Radiculopathy can be treated with non-surgical methods such as chiropractic and physical therapy, use of a cervical collar for stabilization if necessary and steroid injections. Pain medication may also be suggested if manual treatments do not work over time. Last resort surgery is also an option. This is done to remove the disc portion or bone spur that is pressing on the nerve. Before you resort to surgical intervention please come in and talk with us.
To find the treatment that suits you best work with your physician. Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C. is happy to work in conjunction with your medical physician to help alleviate pain and work towards helping your body heal naturally if possible in your case.
Call today for a consultation 239-332-2555.
Chiropractor & Nutritionist in Fort Myers, FL.
Chiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent them before they start?
Dr. Jason B. Kaster, a chiropractor, and nutritionist in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.