Cervical Radiculopathy
Expert care for Cervical Radiculopathy at Gentle Care Chiropractic in West Linn, Oregon.
Understanding Cervical Radiculopathy
Also known as: Pinched Nerve in Neck, Cervical Nerve Root Impingement Cervical radiculopathy is nerve-root irritation in the neck that sends pain, numbness, or weakness down the shoulder, arm, or hand in a dermatomal pattern. The most commonly affected levels are C5-C6 (the C6 root) and C6-C7 (the C7 root). The underlying source is typically a disc herniation or foraminal stenosis narrowing the nerve's exit tunnel. Conservative care resolves the majority of cases, and in my clinical experience, patients are often surprised by how much improvement is possible without injections or surgery.
The pain spreads from the neck across the shoulder and down the arm, with numbness or tingling in specific fingers: thumb and index for C6, middle finger for C7, ring and pinky for C8. Weakness can appear in the biceps, wrist extensors, or grip depending on the level. Two classic clinical signs are worth knowing: Spurling's test, where extending and rotating the neck reproduces arm pain, and Bakody's sign, where resting your hand on top of your head relieves it. Symptoms often worsen with prolonged sitting, driving, or looking down at devices, postures that compress the cervical foramen.
Disc herniation and degenerative foraminal narrowing lead the list of causes. Forward-head posture, previous whiplash, repetitive overhead work, and cervical osteoarthritis all contribute. Heavy manual labor and contact sports raise risk, as does sleeping with a pillow that puts the neck in a compromised position for hours at a time. Cervical traction and motorized decompression are first-line, they open the foraminal space and reduce nerve compression.
We use gentle, low-force adjustments or Activator when a fresh disc is inflamed, advancing to diversified cervical manipulation as the nerve calms. Thoracic manipulation has strong evidence for cervical radicular symptoms, regional interdependence at work again. We release scalene, pec minor, and upper trapezius tightness that contributes to "double crush" patterns (where nerve irritation in the neck compounds wrist compression). Nerve glides, deep neck flexor training, and scapular strengthening complete the plan.
Class IV laser accelerates inflammation resolution. Most patients improve in six to twelve weeks. We may recommend: cervical/lumbar traction, spinal decompression, Activator, myofascial release, Class IV laser, corrective exercise, ergonomic coaching Seek immediate care if: You develop progressive arm weakness, loss of hand coordination, trouble walking, balance problems, or bowel/bladder changes: these could indicate cervical myelopathy needing urgent evaluation.
How We Can Help
At Gentle Care Chiropractic, we take a multi-disciplinary approach, addressing the root cause of your condition, not just the symptoms.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Precise spinal and joint corrections to restore alignment, relieve nerve pressure, and reduce pain. Manual or instrument-assisted based on your needs.
Massage Therapy
Therapeutic massage releases muscle tension, improves circulation to injured tissue, and works synergistically with adjustments for faster recovery.
Physical Rehabilitation
Customized exercise programs strengthen supporting muscles, restore range of motion, and help prevent future flare-ups.
Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy uses targeted light wavelengths to stimulate cellular healing, reduce inflammation, and relieve deep tissue pain without heat or discomfort.
Electrical Stimulation
E-stim therapy reduces pain and muscle spasm, improves circulation, and supports the healing process. Especially effective for acute injuries.
Personalized Care Plan
Every patient is different. We combine these therapies in a plan tailored to your diagnosis, goals, and lifestyle for the best possible outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cervical Radiculopathy, answered by our team.
How do I know if my arm pain or hand numbness is coming from my neck?
The clearest sign is a dermatomal distribution — numbness in specific fingers that maps to a known nerve level. Thumb and index finger pointing to C6, middle finger to C7, ring and pinky to C8. Neck movements that reproduce or relieve arm symptoms are another strong indicator: if tilting your head toward the painful side worsens it (Spurling's sign), or if resting your hand on top of your head relieves it (Bakody's sign), that's highly suggestive of cervical nerve root involvement.
Is it safe to have my neck adjusted if I have a pinched nerve?
In most cases, yes — with appropriate technique selection. We use gentler, low-force approaches (cervical traction, Activator instrument adjustment, or soft mobilization) during the acute inflamed phase rather than high-velocity manipulation on a freshly irritated nerve root. As symptoms settle, we progress technique accordingly. The key is a thorough exam first to rule out any contraindications. Cervical manipulation has good evidence for radicular symptoms and is performed safely every day in chiropractic offices across the country.
Can my posture at work be causing my arm numbness?
Yes, and this is one of the most common perpetuating factors we see. Forward-head posture compresses the posterior cervical foramen — the openings through which nerve roots exit — and sustained looking-down postures (screens, phones, reading) load the C5-C6 and C6-C7 segments specifically, which happen to be the most commonly affected levels. The good news is this is modifiable: monitor height, chair adjustment, and taking movement breaks every 30 to 45 minutes can meaningfully reduce the daily compression load on the nerve.
Why does my arm feel worse when I wake up in the morning?
Sleep position puts sustained load on the cervical spine for hours at a time. Sleeping on your stomach forces your neck into maximal rotation, which compresses the foramina. Sleeping on your side with a pillow that's too high or too low creates lateral bending that loads the same structures. For cervical radiculopathy, we generally recommend sleeping on your back with a cervical-contoured pillow, or on your side with a pillow that keeps your head and neck level with your spine — not propped up or dropped down.
What percentage of people with cervical radiculopathy recover without surgery?
The evidence is encouraging: over 85% of acute cervical radiculopathy cases improve with conservative care — without injections or surgery — typically within eight to twelve weeks. A key piece of natural history research followed patients with new cervical radiculopathy and found that most improved significantly regardless of which conservative approach was used, suggesting the nerve often recovers once compression is reduced. We take that as reason for optimism, while tracking neurological findings closely to identify the minority who need a different level of intervention.
Ready to Find Relief?
You don't have to live with Cervical Radiculopathy. Our team at Gentle Care Chiropractic is here to help you recover and get back to doing what you love.