Neck pain is common and quite debilitating for those who suffer from it. If it is also accompanied by radiation to the arm, tingling or weakness, it can seriously affect the quality of life of the sufferer. A good physiotherapist is your best ally to end this pathology, through a personalized treatment program, which can change your life.
Cervicobrachialgia or cervicobrachial neuralgia refers to a set of symptoms characterized by pain in the cervical region that radiates to the arm. It is usually due to compression or irritation of the nerve roots originating in the cervical spine. These roots can be affected not only at their origin but along the entire path of the peripheral nerves of the upper limb. Specifically, the scalene muscles, the pectoralis minor or the subclavius may be responsible for this compression, generating symptoms of cervicobrachialgia.
Disc pathology (protrusions, hernias, degeneration, etc.), osteoarthritis, spinal canal stenosis, thoracic outlet syndrome, muscle hypertonia or traumatic accidents are some of the possible causes of this radiating pain.
However, like many other nervous disorders, the origin is not always associated with a mechanical cause, but metabolic, inflammatory, infectious, toxic diseases, nutritional deficiencies, poor rest or chronic stress are possible causes of this pathology.
A correct anamnesis and assessment of the vertebral structures, as well as the soft tissues (muscles and fascia) is necessary when diagnosing cervicobrachial neuralgia, in order to choose an appropriate treatment to improve the patient's health.
Symptoms of cervicobrachialgia.
- Neck pain radiating to the shoulder, chest, back, arm or even the hand.
- Cervical stiffness.
- Tingling sensation or paresthesia in the upper limb.
- Muscle weakness.
- Altered sensitivity.
- “Electric shock” or stabbing pain when moving the neck or arm.
- Fine motor impairment.
All of these symptoms do not necessarily occur at the same time and will vary depending on the exact location of the nerve compression or irritation.
How can I eliminate or reduce the symptoms of cervicobrachial neuralgia?
There are various measures that can be taken to reduce the symptoms of this pathology, the objective of which should be to reduce the irritation or compression of the affected roots or peripheral nerves.
Among the strategies to follow it is recommended:
- Maintain a proper posture: Try not to raise or rotate your shoulders forward, do not spend too much time using electronic devices (mobile phones, tablets, etc.) that force you to bend or tilt your neck, avoid slouching, etc.
- Work on cervical and dorsal mobility several times a day (mobility guide).
- Improve sleep hygiene: Use a pillow that keeps your neck aligned or do not sleep on your arm or keep it above 90 degrees.
- Strengthen the stabilizing muscles of the spine.
- Avoid impact exercise until you are strong.
- Perform exercises to mobilize the peripheral nervous system (neurodynamics).
- Apply heat or cold to desensitize the central nervous system.
- See a physiotherapist who can assess, treat and guide you through the healing process using manual therapy, joint mobilization and decompression work.
Below, we leave you a video where you can visually observe the path of the main nerves of the brachial plexus and how to perform neural mobilizations (neurodynamics) of them to reduce the symptoms of upper limb neuralgia.
How can I tell if my hand tingling is due to cervicobrachialgia or carpal tunnel syndrome?
To arrive at a differential diagnosis between a nerve condition characteristic of cervicobrachialgia or other pathologies, we must know how it began, its characteristics and the areas affected.
The origin of cervicobrachial neuralgia, as we have previously mentioned, comes from compression or irritation of the cervical nerve roots that radiate to the upper limb (C5, C6, C7 and C8). The symptoms of this pathology can be aggravated by tension in the neural system from the neck-shoulder.
However, When we talk about carpal tunnel syndrome, we are referring to an entrapment of the median nerve in the wrist area, mainly affecting the first three fingers (thumb, index finger and middle finger). This pathology usually causes pain and tingling/numbness and worsens when performing repetitive wrist movements such as writing, using tools or the mouse.There are specific tests (Phalen or Tinel) to diagnose this pathology. In any case, imaging tests are a great help in determining the lesion.
In addition to cervicobrachialgia and carpal tunnel, there are other pathologies that can cause tingling in the hands, such as multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, vitamin B12 deficiencies or compression of another peripheral nerve (ulnar or radial).
Physiotherapy in Alcalá de Henares for the treatment of cervical pain radiating to the arm.
At Clínica Evolution Fisioterapia Avanzada, we offer specialized and personalized physiotherapy treatment for the relief of cervicobrachialgia, designed to effectively address the symptoms of the injury.
Our approach is based on restoring your quality of life, combining cutting-edge techniques, with the aim of reducing pain, inflammation and nerve irritation or compression.
Treatment of cervicobrachial neuralgia will include sessions of manual therapy, diathermy, percutaneous functional neuromodulation, neural and joint mobilizations and therapeutic exercise.
If you are suffering from neck pain with arm involvement, don't wait any longer to begin your recovery! Schedule an appointment with us today and begin the physiotherapy treatment that will help you regain your functionality and well-being.
