How long does anti-inflammatory medication take to work for cervical radiculopathy?

The medicine may calm inflammation around a nerve root, so neck or shoulder pain can improve before altered sensation or arm strength changes. It will not necessarily remove pressure from the nerve. Note whether symptoms travel farther down the arm, whether grip feels different, and whether movement is becoming easier.

Follow the prescribed dose and avoid adding another anti-inflammatory medicine without advice. Keep your neck gently moving within comfort and avoid prolonged positions that clearly increase arm symptoms. Do not force stretches or exercises that produce spreading pain, increasing numbness, or weakness. A clinician or physiotherapist can adapt activity and decide whether further assessment is needed.

Seek urgent care for rapidly worsening arm or hand weakness, trouble walking, loss of balance, new loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness affecting both arms or legs. Get urgent help for facial swelling, breathing difficulty, vomiting blood, or black stools. Arrange review when pain or nerve symptoms fail to improve or interfere with daily tasks.

Ask which symptom should improve first, how to test and record strength safely, how long to continue the medicine, and what changes would prompt imaging, specialist review, or a revised rehabilitation plan.