If you’re experiencing pain that radiates from your neck or upper back down to your arms, fingers, or even to your chest you may be suffering from a condition called cervical radiculopathy. This can be a debilitating condition that can affect your quality of life. Fortunately, there are several ways to treat this condition such as physiotherapy or chiropractic care. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at these two treatments and how they can help alleviate and manage the symptoms of cervical radiculopathy.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for cervical radiculopathy. With the help of a registered physiotherapist, you can alleviate your pain improve your range of motion and improve your muscle strength. Treatment often involves a combination of exercises, manual techniques, and education on proper posture and ergonomics. Your physiotherapist may also use modalities such as heat or ice, electrotherapy, or ultrasound to help reduce inflammation and promote healing. One of the key benefits of physiotherapy is that it is a non-invasive treatment. Therefore, it is a safe and effective option for individuals who want to avoid surgery or pain medication. Moreover, since it helps target the root cause of cervical radiculopathy, it promotes long-term relief of your symptoms.
Chiropractic care
Chiropractic care can also be a beneficial treatment for cervical radiculopathy. It is a hands-on, drug-free approach that focuses on bringing your body back into alignment. Your chiropractor will use a variety of techniques, such as spinal adjustments, manual methods, and exercise prescription to help reduce your pain, improve your mobility and promote healing. One of the key advantages of chiropractic care is that it can deliver results quickly. Many patients report significant improvement after just a few sessions. Additionally, chiropractic care can be customized to your unique needs. Therefore, your chiropractor can create a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific condition and health goals.
Combination Treatment
In some cases, a combination of physiotherapy and chiropractic care may be the best approach to manage cervical radiculopathy. This is because both treatments target different aspects of your condition. Physiotherapy can help strengthen your muscles, improve your flexibility and relieve your pain, while chiropractic care can help realign your bones, reduce inflammation and promote healing. If you decide to pursue combination treatment, make sure to work with a healthcare provider who has experience in both treatment modalities. This will ensure that you receive a comprehensive and safe treatment plan.
Home care
In addition to professional treatment, there are several lifestyle changes you can make to help manage cervical radiculopathy. These include practicing proper posture, avoiding heavy lifting, and taking frequent breaks if you have a desk job. You can also try doing gentle stretching exercises throughout the day to help ease your symptoms.
Cervical radiculopathy can be a challenging condition to deal with. However, with the right treatment approach, you can manage your symptoms and prevent them from interfering with your life. Physiotherapy and chiropractic care are safe and effective treatments that can help alleviate your pain and promote healing. They can help create a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs and improve your quality of life.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Nitin Nair, BPT, R/TRO DIP, PT, or another Kitchener physiotherapy practitioner at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
