Cervical radiculopathy, also known as cervicobrachialgia, is a condition in which neck pain radiates from the cervical spine into the shoulder, arm, forearm, or hand.
Symptoms may include tingling, pins-and-needles sensations, burning or electric shock–like pain, numbness, or weakness along the arm or hand.
These symptoms often change with neck movements, posture, or daily activities and are commonly related to nerve irritation, nerve compression, or increased neural tension affecting the cervical nerve roots or peripheral nerves.
This Cervical Radiculopathy Physiotherapy Assessment and Exercise Protocol was created to help you better understand your symptoms and manage them safely through a structured, movement-based physiotherapy approach.
If you’d like to understand your problem and our approach in more detail, continue reading this page.
If you’d prefer to get started directly You can access a short presentation to understand what you will find in the complete PDF program, and then download it
Understanding cervical radiculopathy and cervicobrachialgia
Neck-to-arm pain and neurological symptoms rarely occur randomly.
In many cases, cervical radiculopathy is influenced by factors such as cervical posture, reduced mobility, sustained positions, or increased sensitivity of the nervous system.
Common symptoms may include:
- neck pain radiating into the shoulder, arm, or hand
- tingling or paresthesia
- electric shock–like or burning nerve pain
- numbness or weakness
- symptom changes with neck movement or posture
Understanding how and when symptoms change is essential for selecting appropriate exercises and strategies.
Nerve compression and nerve tension: why differentiation matters
Not all cervical radiculopathy symptoms have the same underlying mechanism.
Some symptoms are more related to nerve compression, while others are influenced by increased neural tension or sensitivity.
This physiotherapy protocol helps you:
- observe how symptoms respond to movement
- differentiate between compression-related and tension-related patterns
- choose exercises that are more suitable for your presentation
This distinction is important to avoid exercises that may aggravate symptoms instead of improving them.
The role of physiotherapy in cervical radiculopathy
Physiotherapy for cervical radiculopathy focuses on restoring movement tolerance and reducing nerve-related irritation rather than forcing painful movements.
A physiotherapy-based approach may include:
- controlled cervical mobility
- neural gliding and nerve tension exercises
- postural and scapular control
- gradual exposure to daily activities
The goal is to support symptom reduction while improving confidence and functional movement.
Physiotherapy assessment and guided exercises
This protocol includes:
- a guided physiotherapy assessment
- movement tests to observe symptom behaviour
- progressive exercise selection
- cervical decompression and mobility exercises
- neural gliding exercises for the median, radial, and ulnar nerves
- scapular stabilisation and postural control exercises
Self-assessment is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, but to help you better understand your symptoms and choose exercises more safely.
Who this cervical radiculopathy physiotherapy protocol is for
This protocol may be suitable if you:
- experience neck pain radiating to the arm or hand
- have tingling, numbness, or nerve-related pain
- notice symptoms changing with posture or movement
- feel limited during daily activities or sport
- are looking for a structured, physiotherapy-based approach
It is designed to support safe, progressive self-management and greater awareness of your condition.
Professional physiotherapy support
Living with cervical radiculopathy can be stressful and frustrating, especially when symptoms affect daily life.
Each person responds differently, and progress often requires clarity, patience, and structured guidance.
If you would like to learn more about our approach and who we are, you can visit the About Us page.
You can also explore our musculoskeletal physiotherapy programs, where all available protocols are organised in one place.
We are two physiotherapists, and our goal is to support you step by step with clear, realistic, and physiotherapy-based guidance.
This page is designed to provide educational information and help you better understand physiotherapy-based approaches to musculoskeletal pain.
If you are unsure about your symptoms or would like professional guidance before starting, you can contact us directly. We will help you understand whether this physiotherapy protocol is appropriate for you.