Chiropractic Care for Cervical Radiculopathy in Saginaw, TX

5 min read

If you have ongoing pain in your neck and arms, especially after a minor car accident or repetitive strain, you may have cervical radiculopathy. This condition is often treated at Revitalize Chiropractic in Saginaw, TX.

While its name might seem complex, many are all too familiar with the discomfort it brings. You may experience a deep pain starting in your neck and extending down your arm. You might find some relief when resting your hand behind your head, which are clear indicators that a nerve in your neck may be irritated or compressed. Chiropractic treatment can often provide a natural and effective solution.

In this article, we'll discuss what cervical radiculopathy is, explore its causes, outline how doctors diagnose it, and explain how chiropractic care in Saginaw, TX can help alleviate your symptoms. Relief is possible without surgery or prolonged medication use.

What Is Cervical Radiculopathy?

Cervical radiculopathy refers to a condition where a nerve in the neck is compressed or inflamed, causing pain that may spread from the neck to the shoulder, arm, or hand. Many patients describe the pain as a deep, aching sensation. In some cases, there might also be numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected arm.

Interestingly, many people don’t realize they have cervical radiculopathy until the symptoms become chronic. The condition often follows an injury, such as a car accident or sports trauma, but it can also develop slowly over time from repetitive stress or poor posture. Even minor car accidents, often called "fender-benders," can

cause spinal changes that may lead to nerve irritation over time.

Common Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy

If you're wondering whether your neck and arm pain could be cervical radiculopathy, here are the symptoms to watch out for:

Deep, aching pain in the neck that radiates into the arm
Tingling or numbness in the fingers or hand
Muscle weakness in the arm or shoulder
Neck stiffness or limited range of motion
Relief when resting the hand on the top of the head (a position known as the Bakody’s Sign)

Any of this sound familiar? You’re not alone, this condition is most common in people aged 50 to 54, and it affects thousands of people each year in Texas alone.

What Causes Cervical Radiculopathy?

Contrary to what many people think, a herniated disc is not the leading cause of cervical radiculopathy. In reality, herniated discs only explain about 20-25% of instances. The most common reason, found in approximately 70-75% of cases, is age-related deterioration of the spine. As individuals age, the discs between vertebrae tend to dry out, usually beginning around the age of 40. By the early 50s, many individuals may experience changes due to wear and tear in their spinal structures, such as:

Disc height loss, which narrows the spaces where nerves exit the spine
Uncovertebral joint arthrosis, or degeneration of the small joints in the neck
Facet joint arthrosis, another form of spinal joint degeneration

These changes can cause the openings (called foramina) through which the spinal nerves exit to become narrowed—a process known as foraminal encroachment. When the nerve roots are compressed, you get the symptoms of cervical radiculopathy.

How We Diagnose It at Revitalize Chiropractic

At Revitalize Chiropractic in Saginaw, we always start with a thorough consultation and physical exam to get to the root of your symptoms. Diagnosing cervical radiculopathy includes:

1. Assessing Range of Motion

Patients often have pain and restriction when turning their head, especially toward the affected side. We’ll evaluate your neck mobility in all directions.

2. Orthopedic Testing

We perform several tests to provoke or relieve symptoms, such as:

Cervical compression test: Gently pressing on the head can worsen the arm or neck pain, indicating nerve compression.
Cervical distraction test: Lifting the head can help reduce pressure on the nerve. If this makes arm pain better, it supports our diagnosis.

3. Neurological Evaluation

We’ll also assess for muscle strength, reflex changes, and sensory differences between arms to detect nerve involvement.

4. Imaging Studies

While not always necessary immediately, we may recommend X-rays or MRI to look for structural issues like disc degeneration or narrowing of the neural foramina. These images help confirm the level and severity of the problem and are useful if symptoms are severe or persist beyond a few weeks.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

The good news is that about 75% of cases can be handled with non-surgical techniques, and chiropractic care is one of the best non-invasive options. In fact, a 2013 study revealed that:

After 2 weeks of spinal manipulation, 55% of patients had significant improvement.
At 1 month, that number jumped to 68%.
And by 3 months, 85% of patients had improved!

At Revitalize Chiropractic, we apply a mix of gentle approaches customized to your needs. A number of our patients find success with the Torque Release Technique (TRT). This method provides precise, low-force adjustments to decrease nerve interference and improve alignment, avoiding the popping or twisting that might be uncomfortable for individuals with neck concerns.

We may also incorporate:

Manual adjustments to restore joint motion
Postural corrections and ergonomic guidance
Soft tissue work to relieve muscle tension
Home exercises and stretches to support long-term healing

What About Surgery?

In uncommon and serious cases, surgery could be necessary, especially if symptoms don't improve or there is significant weakness. Nevertheless, surgery is not usually the initial treatment choice. A 2013 study in Spine examined the results of patients who underwent spinal surgery compared to those who had spinal manipulation. Here's what the study discovered:

After 1 year, 87% of surgical patients said they were “better” or “much better,” compared to 62% of those in the chiropractic group.
But by 2 years, the numbers were closer: 82% of surgical patients improved vs. 69% of chiropractic patients.

While surgery usually offers quicker outcomes, chiropractic care provides lasting benefits—without surgery's risks and recovery period. For many, it's advisable to start with a conservative approach. Chiropractic treatment addresses the root of the pain, enhances spinal function, and lowers the chances of the pain returning.

Why Choose Revitalize Chiropractic in Saginaw, TX?

If you're located in Saginaw, Fort Worth, or nearby areas and are dealing with neck and arm pain, we can provide assistance. At Revitalize Chiropractic, we have helped many people overcome cervical radiculopathy and take back their lives. We focus on providing gentle, effective, and personalized care that suits your lifestyle and goals, whether you're an office worker with posture issues or a weekend enthusiast recovering from a car accident.

Here’s what sets us apart:

Advanced diagnostic techniques
In-depth, one-on-one care
Evidence-based protocols
In-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare
Flexible scheduling and a friendly, welcoming environment

Don’t Let Neck and Arm Pain Control Your Life

If you're weary of dealing with constant neck and arm pain, it's time to act. Cervical radiculopathy isn't something you have to endure forever—especially if you tackle it early with a gentle, natural method like chiropractic care. Whether your symptoms appeared suddenly or have developed over time, our team at Revitalize Chiropractic in Saginaw, TX is here to help you regain your health.