November 2011
Chronic Neck Pain...pinched nerve?
If there is a pinched nerve, neck pain and/or arm pain and numbness and/or tingling will be reproduced when pressure is applied to these regions. Other tests include testing reflexes and muscle strength in the arm. When a nerve is pinched, the reflexes will be sluggish or absent and certain movements in the arm are weak when compared to the opposite side.
Another very practical test is called the cervical (neck) distraction test where a traction force is applied to the neck. When neck pain or arm pain is reduced, this means there is a pinched nerve. This test is particularly useful because when neck pain and arm pain are reduced, the test supports the need for a treatment approach called cervical traction. It has been reported that the use of cervical traction when applied 3x/day for 15 minutes each, at 8-12 pounds, 78% of 81 patients reported a significant improvement in symptoms, which is very effective. Other forms of care that can be highly effective include spinal manipulation, spinal mobilization, certain exercises, physical therapy modalities, and certain medications.
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