02 9252 5770

Book now

Request a call back

Chat to Us

We are Open and we are all vaccinated!
Sydney Physio Solutions
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Physiotherapy
    • Telehealth Appointments
    • Pilates / Online Exercise Classes
    • Sports Injury Treatment
    • Massage Therapy
    • Men’s Health Physiotherapy
    • Women’s Health Physiotherapy
  • Programs
    • Building Better Backs
    • Building Better Hips
    • Building Better Knees
  • Locations
    • Macquarie Street
    • Castlereagh Street
  • Benefits
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Physiotherapy News
    • Press & Media
  • BOOK NOW
  • 02 9252 5770
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Physiotherapy
    • Telehealth Appointments
    • Pilates / Online Exercise Classes
    • Sports Injury Treatment
    • Massage Therapy
    • Men’s Health Physiotherapy
    • Women’s Health Physiotherapy
  • Programs
    • Building Better Backs
    • Building Better Hips
    • Building Better Knees
  • Locations
    • Macquarie Street
    • Castlereagh Street
  • Benefits
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Physiotherapy News
    • Press & Media
  • BOOK NOW
  • 02 9252 5770

Home » Nerve Root Irritation

June 15, 2018  |  By Dr Brad McIntosh In Uncategorized

Nerve Root Irritation

The problem

  • Neck and/or arm pain
  • Numbness/pins and needles in arms/hands
  • Weakness in arms
  • These problems are caused by the nerve being compressed as it leaves the spine

Interesting facts

  • Cervical nerve root irritation can also be called cervical radiculopathy
  • The cause of the problem is more likely to be from the disc in the early to middle aged patient and arthritis in older patients 
  • The irritation of the nerve can be from swelling in the immediate area (chemical radiculitis)
  • A small-sample study examining the cervical spine in symptom-free volunteers found focal disc protrusions in 50% of participants on MRI. This shows that a considerable proportion of the population can have focal herniated discs in their cervical spine (neck) but this finding does not necessarily mean that they will have noticeable symptoms.

What you can expect/look out for

  • Loss of strength or muscle reflexes can indicate severe nerve irritation and may require urgent attention.
  • Pain either in the neck or referred down the arm 

Management options

  • You will need a thorough physical assessment to determine the extent of the damage.
  • Any therapy intervention needs to have a positive outcome ASAP and should never irritate symptoms
  • Treatment can vary depending on the degree of pathology from a ‘wait and monitor’ intervention to medication, injection or traction therapy with the most severe cases occasionally needing spinal decompressive surgery

More information

  • http://www.eorthopod.com/content/cervical-radiculopathy
  • http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/305720-overview

References

  • Ernst, C Prevalence of annular tears and disc herniations on MR images of the cervical spine in symptom free volunteers European Journal of Radiology, Volume 55, Issue 3, Pages 409-414

 

At Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions our highly qualified physiotherapists specialise in the assessment, treatment and prevention of neuromusculoskeletal injuries.


Contact us today – 9252 5770

 

This handout was prepared by Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions and is intended as a general information service. Please note that the information provided is not intended as a substitute for advice from a registered physician or healthcare professional. If symptoms persist, please consult your doctor.

Author

Dr Brad McIntosh

Although he is one of the most experienced and sought after Doctors of Physiotherapy in Australia, Brad makes all his patients feel like they are #1.

He also leads his team of caring reception staff and expert physiotherapists with the same degree of passion, which is why Sydney Physio Solutions has built the outstanding reputation it has.

Managing Director BSc (ExSci) MPT (Physio) DPT (Physio) CSCS APAM MSMA

See author's posts

Share this:
Previous StoryLumbar Spine and Back Care
Next StorySacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Related Articles

  • Top Ten Tips For Marathon Recovery
  • Top Ten Tips For Marathon Preparation

Book Online

Make A Booking

ABOUT US

Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions is trusted for the knowledge and experience of it’s staff members. We have physiotherapists who are experts in specific areas of the body so if you are searching for a physiotherapist, see an expert, not a generalist.

We have two physiotherapy clinics in Sydney CBD. All our clinics are staffed by highly qualified and expert physiotherapists whose motivation is to find the cause of your problem & return you to pre-injury fitness as soon as possible.

CATEGORIES

ARCHIVES

Contact Form

    MACQUARIE STREET

    Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions
    Level 1, 139 Macquarie Street
    Sydney 2000
    Tel : 02 9252 5770
    Email : reception@ssop.com.au

    CASTLEREAGH STREET

    Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions
    Level 8, 155 Castlereagh Street
    Sydney 2000
    Tel : 02 9264 4153
    Email : castlereagh@ssop.com.au

     

    Australian PhysioTherapy Association
    cq5dam.thumbnail

    Copyright ©2022 sydneyphysiosolutions.com.au. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

    Request a call back