Physical therapy for Tingling in the Arms!

Where is my pain coming from?

Numbness and tingling in your arm can often stem from a condition called Cervical Radiculopathy. Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in your neck is being compressed, causing these symptoms to go down your arm. Common symptoms may include:

• Numbness and tingling        

• Limited neck motion

• Limited arm motion

• Heaviness in arm

• Pain in shoulder

How do we identify?

Symptoms can often be misleading, because symptoms of cervical radiculopathy can often mimic symptoms from other musculoskeletal conditions. The same nerves roots that branch from your neck also pass through your shoulder, arm, wrist and hands. Your nerves can be compressed at any one of these sites, causing those symptoms of numbness and tingling. Additionally, tight bands of muscle called “trigger points” can form, which can cause pain to radiate down the arm, mimicking symptoms of cervical radiculopathy. At Imagine PT, we are confident in our ability to rule in and/or rule out diagnoses using a cluster of tests that are 99% accurate based on up-to-date literature. Physical Therapists are experts in assessing your deficits, and can perform thorough examinations in order to figure out the root cause of your pain!

How Can Physical Therapy Help?

We use evidence-based treatment methods to decrease your symptoms and increase your ability to live life as you desire! We utilize hands on manual treatment, along with modalities such as dry needling, cupping, and soft tissue mobilization to manage pain and prime your muscles for optimal movement. In addition, we will prescribe the best exercises and stretches to improve your strength and flexibility. We strongly believe in using the best evidence-based interventions to make you feel better faster, better longer! 

How to get treatment?

Give us a call at any of our 5 locations, or come visit and talk to our front desk managers! 

1. Caridi JM, Pumberger M, Hughes AP. Cervical radiculopathy: a review. HSS J. 2011;7(3):265-272. doi:10.1007/s11420-011-9218-z.
2. McCartney S, Baskerville R, Blagg S, McCartney D. Cervical radiculopathy and cervical myelopathy: diagnosis and management in primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 2018;68(666):44-46. doi:10.3399/bjgp17X694361
3. Wainner RS, Fritz JM, Irrgang JJ, Boninger ML, Delitto A, Allison S. Reliability and diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination and patient self-report measures for cervical radiculopathy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2003;28(1):52-62. doi:10.1097/00007632-200301010-00014
4. Lane E, Clewley D, Koppenhaver S. Complaints of Upper Extremity Numbness and Tingling Relieved With Dry Needling of the Teres Minor and Infraspinatus: A Case Report. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(4):287-292. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7055