Headaches & Nerve Pain
Cervical Radiculopathy
Arm symptoms that follow a nerve root pattern from the neck.
Also called: Pinched nerve in the neck, Brachialgia, Neck-related arm pain.
Irritation or compression of a nerve root in the cervical spine can produce pain, numbness, tingling or weakness travelling into the shoulder, arm or hand, often in a recognisable band.
The specific fingers or part of the arm involved, along with neck movements that reproduce or ease it, help point toward which level of the neck is involved.
Why this matters
Sleep, desk work and overhead activity are commonly affected, and people frequently notice the hand before they notice the neck. This can lead to time spent addressing the wrist or elbow when the neck is the actual source.
Left unaddressed, ongoing nerve irritation can affect grip strength and fine motor tasks, which is why changes over time are tracked closely.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
The nerves supplying the arm begin in the neck. Grip and motor-function testing helps show whether those pathways are being affected.
Because these nerve roots also connect to the spinal cord, any signs suggesting broader involvement of the nervous system are evaluated carefully before proceeding.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
This is a concern where medical evaluation, imaging or co-management may be the right first step. Dr. Mike Geran will say so plainly if that is what the history and examination suggest.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Some symptoms need medical evaluation first. If anything in your history or examination suggests that, we will say so and help point you in the right direction.
- Progressive weakness or wasting in the arm or hand
- Symptoms in both arms or in the legs as well
- Clumsiness or changes in walking
- Loss of fine motor control, such as trouble with buttons
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Headaches — Headaches have many drivers. Understanding which ones apply to you is the point of the evaluation.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — Hand numbness and tingling associated with the median nerve at the wrist.
- Cervicogenic Headache — Headache arising from structures in the neck.
- Craniofacial Pain — Pain across the head and face with several possible sources.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.