How Are Pinched Nerves in the Shoulder Treated?
Often, pinched nerves can be treated by non-surgical methods, including physical therapy. Below you will find some common treatments.
Manual Therapy
Your physical therapist may use hands-on care, such as manual cervical traction, to relieve pressure in your neck and its surrounding areas. This traction helps many feel immediate relief from numbness as well as any arm pain that they were feeling.
They may also gently massage your muscles, specifically the muscles of your cervical spine and around your shoulder blade. Your physical therapist can use this technique to improve mobility, alignment, and range of motion.
Therapeutic Exercises
Your physical therapist may use a range of therapeutic exercises, including various stretching and strengthening exercises, to restore your range of motion and joint mobility and strengthen your muscles.
Range of Motion Exercises
You will be taught gentle neck mobility exercises that can help relieve your symptoms. These exercises can also help you return to moving in a more normal and natural way.
Strengthening Exercises
Your physical therapist will assist you in determining which muscles need to be strengthened. This will be determined by the spinal nerves that are causing you pain. Your treatment plan will be formulated to target those muscle groups.
At-Home Exercise Program
Your physical therapists will also teach you exercises you can do at home to improve your functionality. These various exercises will help strengthen muscles in your neck, upper extremities (including your shoulder and arm), and upper back.
After a physical exam and possible diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), your specialist will determine which form of therapy or combination of therapy will be best for you.
How Can Physical Therapy Specifically Help My Cervical Radiculopathy-Related Shoulder Pain?
Physical therapy can specifically help cervical radiculopathy-related shoulder pain because it can:
- Improve the strength and flexibility of your shoulder
- Improve your posture, which can protect your spine
- Decrease pain and inflammation
- Improve your functionality and reduce unnecessary stress on your neck
- Restore your quality of life
Shoulder pain caused by nerve compression can be painful. However, there are some practical steps that can be taken to provide pain relief. Schedule an appointment with Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow in Atlanta and Marietta, GA to receive the relief you deserve!
