Neck Pain & Pinched Nerves

  • Neck Pain

    A Reputation for Quality

    Our therapists at Montalbano Physical Therapy are highly trained to provide quality care for neck pain. A thorough initial evaluation helps us identify movement dysfunction that can be addressed with patient education, manual techniques, therapeutic exercise, and modalities. Regular reassessment provides reassurance that we are always working to achieve patient goals in a cost-effective manner.

    Priority One – Pain Relief

    Severe neck pain can be disabling. For this reason, our first priority is pain relief. Treating the underlying causes of identifiable movement dysfunction is the next step toward achieving long-term relief and recovery.

    Conditions we have successfully treated:

    • Whiplash
    • Acute Pain
    • Sprains/Strains
    • Chronic neck pain*
    • Arthritis (spondylosis)
    • Post Surgical Fusion
    • Degenerative Disc Disease
    • Pinched Nerves (Radiculopathy)

    What are my treatment options?

    • Drugs
    • Surgery
    • Epidural Injections
    • Physical Therapy*

    Advantages of Physical Therapy:

    • No side effects.
    • Cost-effective.
    • Supported by clinical research*.
    • Customized to treat the underlying cause.

    Your Recovery Process:

    • Pain relief is priority number one.
    • Recovery of any lost neck motion.
    • Neck stabilization techniques
    • Recovery of functional movement.
    • Independent care.

    Components of Your Care:

    • A thorough biomechanical evaluation.
    • Extensive patient education.
    • A customized treatment plan.
    • Gentle hands-on techniques to relax the muscles.
    • Effective joint mobilization techniques to decrease stiffness.
    • Pain relieving modalities such as ice, heat, ultrasound or electrical stimulation.
    • Dynamic or static neck traction.
    • Targeted stretching for tight muscles.
    • Individualized posture retraining.
    • Core neck stabilization techniques.

    Everyone is different. You may require one or two visits, or an extended care plan over several weeks or months. If you’re ready for relief, and tired of “masking” your pain, treat the cause, not just the symptoms!

    * Cited from the academic journal, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004.

    A Hands-on Approach

    Hands-on techniques, in most cases, are an essential part of a successful head and neck pain treatment program. Our therapists are equipped with cutting-edge manual skills to assist with the recovery of range of motion, reestablish correct movement patterns, and alleviate muscle related pain and tightness. Coupled with patient education and therapeutic exercise, the results can be dramatic and long lasting.

    Evidence is Our Guide

    Medical research is continuously providing the clinicians at Montalbano Physical Therapy with “current best-evidence” guidance so we are equipped to provide the state-of-the-art care to our community members. We look to systematic reviews and random controlled trials to help guide us in the delivery of state-of-the-art care. Coupled with regular attendance to continuing education courses, Montalbano Physical Therapy has a reputation for providing a high quality service to those in need of head and neck pain rehabilitation.

    Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

    Visit our Medical Library for more information on neck pain.

    Are you suffering from neck pain?
    Call us today to set up an appointment!

  • Pinched Nerves in the Neck

    A pinched nerve occurs when your nerve root becomes compressed as it exits your spinal column. A pinched nerve in the neck occurs when a nerve root of the nerves exiting from the spinal cord becomes irritated or compressed. A pinched nerve in the neck is known as cervical radiculopathy. Pain is the most common symptom of a pinched nerve. There may also be weakness and/or mild numbness, tingling or a burning sensation in nearby areas such as the shoulder, arm, hand and fingers.

    Nerve pain caused by pinched nerves in the neck (cervical radiculopathy) can be caused by many conditions including a herniated disc, arthritis, bone spurs (bony growths) or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal through which nerves pass).

    Nerves in your neck extend through the shoulders and down into your arms, wrists and hands. That's why a pinched nerve in your neck can cause pain or stiffness in the neck along with symptoms down the arm, in your hands and your fingers.

    These symptoms may include:

    • Pain
    • Numbness
    • Tingling
    • Prickling sensation (pins and needles)
    • Weakness of the Muscles Along the Affected Nerve Path(s)

    Pinched nerves in the neck usually heals on their own in several weeks or months. A pinched nerve in the neck is typically treated with oral medications (e.g., antidepressants, narcotic analgesics, and anti-seizure drugs) and physical therapy. Surgery is not normally needed.

    Pinched nerves are commonly diagnosed with one or more of the following tests:

    • X-Ray - the X-Ray can't see your nerves, but it does show the alignment of the vertebrae in your neck and demonstrate narrowing of the foramen and disc spacing in the vertebrae. This information can show nerve damage or rule it out as the cause of your neck pain.
      • >Computed Tomography (CT) Scan - detailed information about your neck and spine, including dense strutures such as a bone spur.
    • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - detailed images of soft tissue in your neck and spine, including pinched nerves.
    • Electromyography (EMG) - a test that measures the electrical impulses of your muscles during contractions and at rest to test for neuromuscular abnormalities (dysfunctions).
    • Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) - measures the speed and strength of impulses of nerves in response to stimulation to evaluate motor and sensory nerve function. It can diagnose Guillain-Barré syndrome, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, herniated disc(s), sciatica and other nerve conditions.