Does physiotherapy treat cervical radiculopathy?

Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the neck becomes irritated or compressed, causing symptoms that can travel into the shoulder, arm or hand. A physiotherapist may examine neck motion, strength, sensation and how symptoms respond to different positions. The programme can include posture and activity advice, gentle neck or upper-back movement, nerve-sensitive exercises and strengthening for the neck and shoulder region.

Change positions regularly and avoid staying bent over a phone or desk for long periods. Follow only the movements that have been assessed for you; arm tingling that spreads or clearly intensifies during an exercise is a reason to stop and report it. Your clinician may adapt lifting, driving and sleeping positions while symptoms settle. Physiotherapy supports recovery but does not replace assessment of significant nerve changes.

Seek urgent care for new or worsening arm or hand weakness, trouble walking, loss of balance, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the body’s central areas. Prompt review is also needed after major neck trauma, with fever, or when pain is severe and rapidly progressing. These features need medical assessment before routine exercise continues.

Ask which nerve findings are present, which activities should be limited, and whether imaging or specialist review is needed. Ask how to recognise worsening weakness and when your physiotherapy plan should be changed.