top of page

Cervical Radiculopathy Treatment in Revere, MA

Screenshot 2026-08-31 at 3.16.50 PM.png

Physical Therapy for Cervical Radiculopathy and Nerve Pain

 

Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the neck becomes irritated or compressed, potentially causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that travels from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand.

 

At Broadway Physical Therapy & Rehab in Revere, MA, we provide individualized physical therapy for patients experiencing cervical radiculopathy, neck pain, and nerve-related symptoms. Our goal is to reduce your symptoms, restore movement and strength, and help you return to your normal activities with greater confidence.

What Is Cervical Radiculopathy?

Cervical radiculopathy is a condition involving irritation or compression of a nerve root in the cervical spine, or neck.

​

The cervical spine contains seven vertebrae and the nerves that travel from the spinal cord into the shoulders, arms, and hands.

​

When one of these nerve roots becomes irritated, symptoms can extend beyond the neck itself.

 

You may experience:

  • Neck pain

  • Shoulder pain

  • Pain traveling into the arm

  • Tingling

  • Numbness

  • Burning sensations

  • Electric or shooting pain

  • Muscle weakness

  • Reduced neck movement

  • Difficulty using the affected arm

​

Because the nerves leaving the neck supply different areas of the arm and hand, the location of your symptoms can provide important information about which nerve may be involved.

What Causes Cervical Radiculopathy?

Cervical radiculopathy can have several causes.

​

Common causes include:

  • Herniated discs

  • Bulging discs

  • Degenerative disc changes

  • Cervical spondylosis

  • Bone spurs

  • Narrowing of the openings where nerves exit the spine

  • Spinal injuries

  • Age-related changes in the cervical spine

​

Sometimes symptoms develop gradually as changes occur in the neck. Other times, symptoms may begin following an injury or particular movement.

What Does Cervical Radiculopathy Feel Like?

Cervical radiculopathy can feel different from ordinary neck pain.

​

Symptoms may include:

​

Neck Pain

You may experience pain or stiffness around the neck.

​

Radiating Arm Pain

Pain may travel from your neck into your shoulder, arm, forearm, or hand.

​

Tingling

You may notice pins-and-needles sensations in the arm or hand.

​

Numbness

Certain areas of your arm, hand, or fingers may feel less sensitive.

​

Burning or Electric Pain

Some people describe nerve-related pain as burning, shooting, or electric.

​

Weakness

An irritated nerve can sometimes affect the muscles supplied by that nerve.

​

Symptoms may be constant or intermittent and may change depending on your position or activity.

Where Does Cervical Radiculopathy Hurt?

The location of symptoms can vary depending on which nerve root is involved.

​

Symptoms may travel from:

Neck → Shoulder → Upper Arm → Forearm → Hand/Fingers

​

Some people primarily feel pain around the shoulder or shoulder blade, while others experience symptoms farther down the arm.

​

Numbness, tingling, and weakness may also occur in specific areas of the arm or hand.

A physical therapy evaluation can help determine whether your symptoms are consistent with cervical nerve involvement.

Cervical Radiculopathy vs. Neck Pain

Not all neck pain is cervical radiculopathy. With typical mechanical neck pain, discomfort may remain primarily around the neck and surrounding muscles.

​

With cervical radiculopathy, symptoms may extend into the:

  • Shoulder

  • Arm

  • Forearm

  • Hand

  • Fingers

​

Neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness are also more suggestive of nerve involvement. Because several conditions can cause similar symptoms, a thorough examination is important.

Is Cervical Radiculopathy the Same as a Pinched Nerve?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but cervical radiculopathy specifically refers to irritation or compression of a nerve root in the neck. "Pinched nerve" is a more general term people often use to describe nerve irritation.

​

Cervical radiculopathy can result from things such as:

  • A herniated disc

  • A bulging disc

  • Bone spurs

  • Degenerative changes

  • Narrowing around the nerve

Can a Herniated Disc Cause Cervical Radiculopathy?

Yes. A herniated disc in the cervical spine can irritate or compress a nearby nerve root. This can produce symptoms that travel from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand. However, herniated discs are not the only cause of cervical radiculopathy. Degenerative changes, bone spurs, and narrowing around the nerves can also contribute.

Can Cervical Radiculopathy Cause Numbness or Tingling?

Yes. Numbness and tingling are common symptoms when a cervical nerve root is irritated.

 

You may experience these sensations in the:

  • Shoulder

  • Arm

  • Forearm

  • Hand

  • Fingers

​

The exact location depends on the nerve involved. Persistent or worsening numbness should be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional.

Can Cervical Radiculopathy Cause Arm Weakness?

It can. When a nerve is significantly irritated or compressed, the muscles supplied by that nerve may become weaker.

​

You might notice difficulty with:

  • Gripping

  • Lifting

  • Carrying

  • Reaching

  • Pushing

  • Pulling

  • Raising your arm

  • Performing fine hand movements

​

New or worsening weakness should be medically evaluated.

Can Cervical Radiculopathy Cause Headaches?

Cervical radiculopathy itself does not necessarily cause headaches. However, neck conditions can sometimes occur alongside other sources of neck-related headaches. If headaches are a significant part of your symptoms, your physical therapist can evaluate your neck and determine whether your symptoms may have a musculoskeletal component.

Can Physical Therapy Help Cervical Radiculopathy?

Yes. Physical therapy is commonly used as part of conservative treatment for cervical radiculopathy.

Your treatment will depend on the cause and severity of your symptoms.

​

Your physical therapist may focus on:

  • Reducing pain

  • Improving neck mobility

  • Improving upper-back mobility

  • Reducing nerve sensitivity

  • Restoring strength

  • Improving posture and movement

  • Improving shoulder-blade control

  • Increasing activity tolerance

  • Returning to work

  • Returning to exercise

​

The goal is to help you regain comfortable movement and function rather than simply treating the location where you feel pain.

Your Physical Therapy Evaluation

At Broadway Physical Therapy & Rehab, your evaluation begins with understanding your symptoms and how they affect your daily life.

​

Your physical therapist may ask about:

  • When your symptoms started

  • Where your pain travels

  • Numbness or tingling

  • Changes in strength

  • Activities that aggravate symptoms

  • Positions that make symptoms better

  • Sleep

  • Work activities

  • Exercise

  • Previous injuries

  • Previous treatment

  • Imaging results

  • Your goals

​

Your examination may include:

  • Neck range of motion

  • Shoulder range of motion

  • Strength testing

  • Sensation

  • Reflexes when appropriate

  • Nerve tension testing

  • Posture

  • Shoulder-blade movement

  • Upper-back mobility

  • Functional movement

​

This information helps your therapist determine an appropriate treatment plan.

Physical Therapy Treatment for Cervical Radiculopathy

Your treatment may include a combination of approaches.

​

Therapeutic Exercise

Exercise is an important component of rehabilitation.

​

Depending on your symptoms, your therapist may prescribe exercises to improve:

  • Neck strength

  • Upper-back strength

  • Shoulder strength

  • Core strength

  • Mobility

  • Endurance

  • Postural control

​

Exercises are gradually progressed as your symptoms improve.

​

Cervical Mobility Exercises

Certain movements may help improve comfortable neck mobility. Your therapist can determine which movements are appropriate based on how your symptoms respond.

​

Postural and Movement Training

Your therapist may assess how your neck and upper body respond to:

  • Sitting

  • Computer work

  • Driving

  • Sleeping

  • Looking down

  • Reaching

  • Lifting

​

Rather than trying to maintain one "perfect" posture all day, treatment focuses on improving movement options and your ability to tolerate different positions.

​

Nerve Mobility Exercises

When appropriate, your therapist may use nerve-mobility exercises to encourage comfortable movement of the nervous system. These exercises are performed carefully and should not aggressively reproduce nerve symptoms.

​

Manual Therapy

Hands-on treatment may be used to help reduce discomfort and improve mobility.

​

Depending on your presentation, this may include:

  • Soft-tissue techniques

  • Joint mobilization

  • Muscle-release techniques

  • Other manual techniques

​

Manual therapy is generally combined with active rehabilitation.

​

Shoulder and Upper-Back Strengthening

The neck does not work in isolation.

​

Your therapist may address the muscles surrounding the:

  • Shoulder blades

  • Shoulders

  • Upper back

  • Core

​

Improving strength and control throughout the upper body can help you better tolerate everyday activities.

​

Functional Training

As symptoms improve, treatment can become more specific to your daily activities.

​

This may include:

  • Lifting

  • Carrying

  • Reaching

  • Pushing

  • Pulling

  • Work activities

  • Exercise

  • Sports

​

The goal is to help you return to your normal activities with greater confidence.

What Exercises Are Good for Cervical Radiculopathy?

There is no single exercise that works for everyone with cervical radiculopathy.

​

Your exercise program depends on:

  • The cause of your symptoms

  • Which movements affect your symptoms

  • The nerve involved

  • Your strength

  • Your mobility

  • Your activity level

  • Your stage of recovery

​

Depending on your presentation, exercises may include:

  • Neck mobility exercises

  • Deep neck strengthening

  • Upper-back mobility exercises

  • Shoulder-blade strengthening

  • Rotator cuff strengthening

  • Core strengthening

  • Nerve-mobility exercises

  • Postural exercises

  • Progressive resistance training

​

Your therapist can determine which exercises are appropriate and how they should be progressed.

Should You Stretch Your Neck With Cervical Radiculopathy?

Not necessarily. Aggressive stretching is not always appropriate when a nerve is irritated.

Some movements may temporarily increase nerve-related symptoms. Your physical therapist can determine whether stretching is appropriate and which movements can be performed comfortably. The goal is to improve comfortable movement and function, not simply to stretch as far as possible.

Should You Rest With Cervical Radiculopathy?

You may need to temporarily modify activities that significantly aggravate your symptoms. However, prolonged inactivity is generally not the long-term goal.

​

Too much inactivity can contribute to:

  • Muscle weakness

  • Stiffness

  • Reduced endurance

  • Lower activity tolerance

  • Fear of movement

​

Your physical therapist can help you gradually return to normal activity while respecting your symptoms.

Can You Exercise With Cervical Radiculopathy?

In many cases, yes. You may not be able to perform all of your normal exercises immediately, but activity can often be gradually reintroduced as symptoms improve.

​

Depending on your condition, you may eventually return to:

  • Strength training

  • Walking

  • Cardiovascular exercise

  • Gym workouts

  • Sports

  • Work activities

​

Your therapist can help determine how to safely progress your activity.

Do I Need an MRI for Cervical Radiculopathy?

Not everyone with cervical radiculopathy requires an MRI. Imaging may be recommended when symptoms are severe, persistent, associated with significant neurological changes, or when a healthcare provider needs additional information about the condition.

​

An MRI may identify:

  • Disc herniation

  • Disc bulging

  • Degenerative changes

  • Bone spurs

  • Narrowing around spinal nerves

​

However, imaging findings need to be considered alongside your symptoms and physical examination.

Does Cervical Radiculopathy Require Surgery?

Not necessarily. Many people improve with conservative treatment, including physical therapy.

 

Treatment may include:

  • Physical therapy

  • Exercise

  • Activity modification

  • Education

  • Medication recommended by a medical provider

  • Other nonsurgical treatments when appropriate

​

Surgery may be considered in certain situations, particularly when significant or progressive neurological problems develop or symptoms remain severe despite appropriate conservative treatment. Your physician or spine specialist can determine whether surgery is appropriate for you.

Warning Signs That Require Medical Attention

Most cases of neck and arm pain are not emergencies. However, certain symptoms require prompt medical evaluation.

​

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience:

  • Rapidly worsening arm or hand weakness

  • Significant difficulty walking

  • New problems with coordination

  • Loss of bladder or bowel control

  • Numbness affecting multiple areas of the body

  • Severe symptoms following major trauma

  • Fever combined with significant neck pain

  • Unexplained weight loss with persistent pain

  • New spinal pain with a history of cancer

  • Severe or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms

​

These symptoms may indicate a more serious condition and should not be managed solely through routine physical therapy.

How Long Does Cervical Radiculopathy Last?

Recovery varies from person to person. Some people experience improvement within several weeks, while others may have symptoms that persist for longer.

​

Factors that may influence recovery include:

  • Cause of the nerve irritation

  • Severity of symptoms

  • Degree of nerve involvement

  • Duration of symptoms

  • Physical demands of your job

  • Activity level

  • Sleep

  • Previous injuries

  • Participation in rehabilitation

​

Recovery is not always linear. You may experience good days and bad days while your symptoms improve. Meaningful progress may include being able to turn your head more comfortably, sit at a computer longer, sleep better, grip objects more easily, or return to exercise.

Can Cervical Radiculopathy Come Back?

It can. Some people experience recurring episodes of neck or nerve-related symptoms. Building strength, improving mobility, maintaining physical activity, and learning how to manage flare-ups can help you stay active over the long term. Your physical therapist can help develop an exercise program that continues beyond your initial course of treatment.

Physical Therapy for Cervical Radiculopathy in Revere, MA

Looking for cervical radiculopathy treatment near you?

​

Broadway Physical Therapy & Rehab provides personalized physical therapy for patients experiencing cervical radiculopathy, neck pain, arm pain, numbness, tingling, and other nerve-related symptoms.

 

Our Revere clinic serves patients throughout:

Revere • Chelsea • Everett • Winthrop • East Boston • Malden • Saugus • Lynn • Melrose • Greater Boston and surrounding communities

​

Whether your symptoms recently started or you've been dealing with persistent neck and arm pain, our physical therapists can evaluate your condition and develop a treatment plan based on your symptoms, needs, and goals.

Why Choose Broadway Physical Therapy & Rehab?

Serving Revere Since 1999

Broadway Physical Therapy & Rehab has provided personalized physical therapy to patients throughout Revere and surrounding communities for more than 25 years.

​

Personalized Spine and Neck Rehabilitation

Cervical radiculopathy can have different causes and presentations. Your treatment plan is based on your symptoms, examination findings, lifestyle, and goals.

​

Physical Therapist-Owned & Operated

Our focus is on individualized rehabilitation and helping patients make meaningful improvements in their daily lives.

​

Active and Hands-On Treatment

Your program may combine therapeutic exercise, strengthening, mobility work, manual therapy, education, and functional rehabilitation.

​

Advanced Treatment Options

When appropriate, Broadway Physical Therapy offers advanced treatment options and rehabilitation technologies that may not be available at every physical therapy clinic.

​

Convenient Greater Boston Location

Our Revere location provides convenient access to physical therapy for patients throughout Greater Boston and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

bottom of page