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Cervical Radiculopathy & Chiropractic

Cervical radiculopathy is described as inflammation or damage affecting the nerve root, with possible changes in neurological function. Common symptoms include numbness, pain, muscle weakness, deficits in sensation, and reflexes that may travel from the neck to the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers.

Cervical radiculopathy is diagnosed via a thorough neurological examination specifically looking for patterns of weakness and sensation changes. Imaging for cervical radiculopathy involve x-rays, nerve conduction testing, needle EMG, muscle testing, CT, and MRI.

Most common causes of cervical radiculopathy are due to bone spurs, herniated discs, and other spinal degenerative processes. Other causes include tumor and infection. Compression at the nerve root in the neck has been thought to the source of arm pain in many cases.

Cervical radiculopathy will sometimes resolve on its own however, there are options for treatment. Some recommended management includes rest, activity modifications, physical therapy, chiropractic, and surgery. Treatment should be sought as soon as possible because the longer the symptoms are present, the more likely it could lead to permanent damage.

The nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic improves nerve supply and function.


CASE STUDY

The woman in this study had been experiencing numbness, tingling, and pain in the right arm for two months. An MRI confirmed the presence of structural shifts and narrowing in the spine. She received several medical treatments including prescription medications, steroids, injections and physical therapy but none of that helped her.

The chiropractor examined her and found tight muscles and structural shifts in his neck, upper and mid back. Range of motion, x-rays, and other imaging confirmed the findings. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.

Following chiropractic adjustments, she experienced marked improvement in her symptoms. Structural corrections and improved spinal alignment were confirmed on post treatment MRI and x-rays.

The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.

Comparing Pre-Post Magnetic Resonance Imaging Changes in a Patient with Cervical Radiculopathy using the Pierce Results System. Charles Cunico, DC & Marc Badious MSc, DC. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ Volume, 2020. 

Dates to Remember

The office will be CLOSED for our summer break Friday, June 25th - Sunday, July 4th.