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Neck Pain and Cervical Radiculopathy

Relieve neck pain, stiffness, and radiating arm symptoms with personalised, evidence-based care designed to restore movement, reduce nerve irritation, and support long-term spinal health.

Understanding Neck Pain

Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints, affecting up to 70% of the population at some point. The cervical spine is highly mobile and supports the full weight of the head — making it vulnerable to postural stress, overuse, and injury. Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the neck is compressed or irritated, causing arm pain, numbness, or weakness. The most common causes are disc herniation and age-related degenerative changes narrowing the neural foramen.

Causes

  • Poor posture – forward head posture during desk work, device use, and driving.
  • Muscle tension and trigger points – often related to stress and occupational activities.
  • Cervical disc herniation or degeneration.
  • Facet joint arthritis and spondylosis.
  • Whiplash – sudden impact causing cervical spine injury.
  • Nerve root compression from disc or bony narrowing.
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Symptoms

  • Neck pain and stiffness.
  • Headaches originating from the neck (cervicogenic headache).
  • Restricted neck rotation and side-bending.
  • In cervical radiculopathy – shooting or burning pain into the shoulder, arm, or hand.
  • Numbness or tingling in the arm or fingers.
  • Weakness in the arm or hand.
  • In severe cases (myelopathy) – balance difficulties or altered gait, requiring urgent assessment.

Treatment

  • Manual therapy and cervical mobilisation or manipulation (where appropriate).
  • Dry needling and soft tissue release for muscular tension.
  • Specific cervical mobility and deep neck flexor exercises.
  • Postural correction and ergonomic assessment.
  • Neural mobilisation for radicular symptoms.
  • Education on sleep position and pillow setup.

Rehabilitation & Exercise

Caution: Perform all exercises only as directed by your Healthweave clinician. Stop any exercise that increases your pain and inform your practitioner. Exercise programs are tailored to individual needs and must not be self-prescribed.
Neck pain rehabilitation addresses the specific source of pain — joint, disc, muscle, or nerve — and builds the strength and postural endurance needed to prevent recurrence. Early active movement is important; prolonged rest with a collar worsens outcomes.
  • Deep neck flexor strengthening – the most important exercise for chronic neck pain.
  • Cervical range of motion exercises – performed within a comfortable range.
  • Thoracic mobility and extension exercises to restore posture.
  • Scapular stabilisation exercises to support the cervical spine.
  • Neural mobilisation for radicular symptoms – gentle nerve gliding exercises.
  • Ergonomic correction of workstation and sleep position.

Specialist & Regenerative Medicine Options

For persistent neck pain with identified disc or facet pathology, or cervical radiculopathy that has not adequately responded to physiotherapy, our Prestidge sports physicians can offer specialist interventional treatments.

  • Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections – targeted corticosteroid injection reduces nerve root inflammation and radicular arm pain.
  • Cervical Facet Joint Injections / Medial Branch Blocks – for confirmed facet-mediated neck pain.
  • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – for chronic cervical facet pain, providing extended relief.
  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) – for degenerative cervical disc disease or facet arthropathy.
  • Prolotherapy – for cervical ligamentous laxity, particularly following whiplash injury.
  • Peptide Therapy – where clinically appropriate following individual assessment. A valid prescription is required.
  • Surgical Referral – for progressive myelopathy, significant radiculopathy with neurological deficit, or cases failing conservative and interventional management.

Our sports and exercise physicians at Prestidge work alongside your treating clinician to determine the most appropriate option for your condition, goals, and stage of recovery. All injectable and prescription treatments are subject to individual clinical assessment. Visit healthweave.com.au or prestidge.com to learn more.

Important: All specialist consultations, prescription treatments, and injectable procedures are subject to individual clinical assessment by a registered medical practitioner. Suitability, benefits, and risks will be discussed at your consultation. No outcomes are guaranteed. Prescription medicines are only available following appropriate medical review in accordance with TGA and AHPRA requirements. Exercise programs should be performed only as directed by your Healthweave clinician. Exercise images © CPDO / Educom Pty. Ltd. — used under licence.