Pinched Nerve Pain: 5 Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Cervical Radiculopathy

Pinched nerve pain can occur anywhere in the body, but it’s especially excruciating in the neck. Cervical radiculopathy is the term for a pinched nerve in the neck, a common issue among adults.

But surgery isn’t always necessary for pinched nerve pain; many people find relief through conservative measures. The trick to alleviating nerve pain without surgery is getting early treatment and making the required changes in your lifestyle.

Dr. Stephanie S. Jones and the Consultants in Pain Medicine team provide pain management treatments to patients in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Jones is a pain management specialist who offers therapies like spinal cord stimulation, radiofrequency ablation, and corticosteroid injections for relief.

The facts on cervical radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy is synonymous with a pinched nerve in the neck. A pinched nerve in the neck results in neurological dysfunction, which results from the compression and inflammation of the affected nerve roots.

You can have a pinched nerve for several reasons, including a cervical herniated disc and foraminal narrowing of the vertebrae as you age. Degenerative changes and arthritis can also cause cervical radiculopathy, which is why it’s prevalent in older adults.

Cervical radiculopathy often causes symptoms in the neck and down one arm. Some people also experience pain in the chest and upper back. Common symptoms associated with cervical radiculopathy include:

• Pain
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Poor reflexes

The symptoms of cervical radiculopathy typically only affect one side of the body, depending on the affected nerves. The pain may be constant or intermittent and can feel sharp, burning, dull, and achy.

The good news is that most cases of cervical radiculopathy improve with nonsurgical treatments within six months. Early recognition and treatment are key to long-term relief.

Five nonsurgical treatment options

Dr. Jones specializes in nonsurgical pain management techniques for chronic pain conditions like cervical radiculopathy. There are various options for pain relief, including oral anti-inflammatory medications and immobilization of the cervical spine.

If those aren’t enough to alleviate your symptoms, Dr. Jones provides other cutting-edge treatments for pinched nerves, five of which include:

1. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

PRP is a therapy that uses your blood to deliver platelet-healing properties to the damaged nerve. Platelets are crucial for blood clotting and carry essential growth factors that aid in tissue recovery.

Although it takes time to see the results of PRP, the research is promising. The platelets go to the source of injury and begin healing and repairing damage, which will hopefully relieve pressure on the compressed nerve.

2. Physical therapy

Physical therapy is a critical component in treating cervical radiculopathy. We often suggest it, along with other complementary therapies, to help you regain strength, range of motion, and flexibility in your neck.

Physical therapy aims to strengthen the supporting muscles and tissues around the neck to help alleviate pressure on the pinched nerve.

3. Epidural steroid injections

Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications that provide weeks to months of relief from a pinched nerve. Dr. Jones offers cervical epidural steroid injections to calm the inflammation in your neck for long-term pain relief.

4. Nerve blocks

A nerve block targets the specific nerve that’s causing your symptoms. Using a particular type of X-ray called fluoroscopy, Dr. Jones finds the affected nerve and injects a local anesthetic along with a steroid to provide both immediate and long-term pain relief.

Nerve blocks can be diagnostic, a treatment, or both. Dr. Jones uses nerve blocks when other conservative measures haven't worked for your symptoms.

5. Trigger point injections

Cervical radiculopathy can lead to muscle tension in the neck and upper back, which only adds to your pain. Trigger point injections provide fast relief for muscle tension and discomfort. Dr. Jones injects a small amount of local anesthetic, sometimes with a corticosteroid, into a tense muscle to quickly relax it and give you the relief you need to function.

When is surgery necessary for cervical radiculopathy?

Surgery is usually the last resort when it comes to treating cervical radiculopathy. There are more risks and potential complications related to surgery than the conservative treatments Dr. Jones offers.

However, some people may require surgery when nonsurgical treatments have failed to provide adequate relief from their symptoms. Doctors typically recommend surgery if you’ve been unable to get relief after 6-12 weeks of conservative treatments.

If the pain from cervical radiculopathy is affecting your everyday activities, including work, you may also require surgery. Various procedures are available to treat cervical radiculopathy, depending on the cause of the problem and your health.

Call today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jones and learn more about our nonsurgical treatments for pinched nerves. You may also request a consultation on our website.