Neck Pain Radiating Into Your Arm? There’s a Reason — And There’s a Fix.

If you're dealing with pain that shoots from your neck down into your shoulder, arm, or even your fingers, you already know how miserable cervical radiculopathy can be.

Sharp. Burning. Electric.
And relentlessly disruptive.

But here's the truth:
You’re not broken, and this doesn’t have to be your new normal.

After nearly 18 years treating neck and nerve pain in Bluffdale, Saratoga Springs, Herriman, Riverton, Draper, and South Jordan, I can tell you with confidence:

Cervical radiculopathy responds incredibly well when treated the right way.

What Is Cervical Radiculopathy? 

Cervical radiculopathy is the medical term for a pinched nerve in your neck. It happens when one of the nerves that travels down your arm becomes compressed or irritated as it exits the spine.

This can be caused by:

  • Disc bulges or herniations

  • Degenerative disc disease

  • Arthritis or bone spurs

  • Inflammation

  • Forward-head posture

  • Prolonged phone or computer use

When that nerve gets irritated, the pain doesn’t stay in your neck. It travels down the nerve pathway into your shoulder, arm, or hand.

That’s why neck pain with arm symptoms is a classic sign of cervical radiculopathy.

Common Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy

Every week we see patients from Bluffdale, Riverton, Saratoga Springs, Herriman, and South Jordan with symptoms like:

Radiating Pain

Sharp, burning, or electrical pain traveling into the shoulder, arm, or hand.

Numbness or Tingling

Pins-and-needles, patches of numbness, or fingers that feel “asleep.”

Weakness

Loss of grip strength, dropping objects, or difficulty lifting your arm.

Positional Pain

Symptoms worse when looking down, looking up, or sleeping on the affected side.

Deep Aching

A dull, heavy ache between the shoulder blades or down the arm.

If you’re nodding your head, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common conditions we treat.

My Sister’s Story: Why I Take Radiculopathy Seriously

I want to share a story that changed the way I treat this condition.

My own sister suffered from cervical radiculopathy so severe she could barely use her arm. Reaching for a cup, brushing her hair, carrying groceries—every movement sent electric pain down her arm.

She wasn’t sleeping. She wasn’t functioning.

She tried physical therapy and felt worse.

She drove four hours to stay with us, and we spent a week doing intensive treatment: decompression, adjustments, muscle work, activation, and movement retraining.

By the end of the week, she had significant relief.
Not perfect yet, but life-changing.

This is why I’m so committed to helping people like you. I’ve seen—personally and professionally—what the right treatment can do.

Why Most Treatment Fails

This is where I’m different.

Most clinics treat only one part of the problem.

  • Adjustments alone won’t fix nerve compression

  • Strengthening alone won’t relieve pain

  • Massage alone won’t improve nerve mobility

  • Injections often provide only temporary relief

I grew up in a family of physical therapists and built my career combining the best of chiropractic, manual therapy, and rehab.

Then my wife became a Pilates instructor… and we discovered something powerful:

When you combine chiropractic care with Pilates-based movement, people recover faster and stay better longer.

That’s why we built Atomic Pilates & Chiropractic.

Exercises You Can Try at Home for Cervical Radiculopathy

(Safe, research-backed exercises to help calm the nerve and reduce irritation)

Below are six gentle, effective movements you can start with at home.
These are the same exercises I use with many of my patients in the early stages of recovery.

Watch the Video: 6 Exercises for Cervical Radiculopathy Relief

(Embed your full video here)

Download the PDF Guide HERE

A printable handout with photos and instructions for each movement.

Download: Cervical Radiculopathy Exercises HERE

Cervical radiculopathy exercises

What’s Inside the PDF:

  • Chin Tucks

  • Wall Angels

  • Scapular Retraction

  • Median Nerve Glide

  • Gentle Cervical Extension

  • Thoracic Extension Stretch

These movements should feel gentle and controlled.
If any exercise causes sharp pain or increases symptoms down your arm, stop and schedule a visit so we can determine what’s going on.

                                                                                                                                                                                           

The Atomic Nerve Relief Method

Our 3-Step System to Fix Cervical Radiculopathy

This is our signature approach — designed specifically to relieve nerve pain, restore strength, and prevent the problem from coming back.

Step 1: Identify the Nerve Root Irritation

Through orthopedic testing, neurological assessment, and movement analysis, we determine whether the issue is coming from C5, C6, C7, or multiple levels.

Accurate diagnosis = faster results.

Step 2: Take Pressure Off the Nerve

Your individualized treatment plan may include:

  • Spinal decompression therapy

  • Super pulsed laser therapy for inflammation

  • Gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments

  • Fascial distortion & muscle release techniques

  • Activation work to improve stability

These techniques reduce nerve irritation and calm inflammation quickly.

Step 3: Rebuild Strength & Movement Patterns

This is where long-term change happens.

Using Pilates-based rehab, we strengthen:

  • Deep neck stabilizers

  • Scapular stabilizers

  • Core muscles

  • Postural endurance

  • Functional movement patterns

This is how we break the cycle of recurring radiculopathy.

What Treatment Looks Like

Most patients experience:

  • Noticeable relief within 1–2 weeks

  • 50% improvement with consistent treatment

  • 80–90% improvement within 2–3 months

  • Long-term stability when Pilates is included

Your recovery depends on:

  • How long the nerve has been irritated

  • How severe the compression is

  • Your posture and workstation habits

  • How consistent you are with home care

But here’s the good news: you can recover.

Home Strategies (When It’s Safe to Try Them)

For mild or early symptoms, try:

Phone posture (eye-level, not down in your lap)

Ice for sharp pain, heat for stiffness

Gentle cervical retraction

Supportive pillow and good sleep alignment

Stop immediately if pain worsens or travels farther down the arm.

That’s when you need help.

When Radiculopathy Is an Emergency

Seek immediate attention if you experience:

  • Severe, constant pain

  • Rapid weakness

  • Symptoms in both arms

  • Loss of bladder or bowel control

These are red flags.

Why People in Bluffdale Choose Us

Chiropractic + Pilates rehab in one studio

Decompression + laser therapy for faster relief

Longer visits, personalized care

18 years of experience

Family-owned, local to Bluffdale & Saratoga Springs

We actually listen and create a plan that fits your life

You’re not just a case number here.
You’re a person with goals, family, and a life you want back.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can cervical radiculopathy heal on its own?

Mild cases can improve, but persistent symptoms usually need targeted treatment.

Do I need an MRI before coming in?

Not unless red flags are present. We will tell you if imaging is needed.

Will chiropractic adjustments make it worse?

Not when done correctly. We use gentle, specific adjustments that patients tolerate well.

How do I know if it’s a pinched nerve and not shoulder pain?

If the pain radiates past your elbow, it’s almost always cervical radiculopathy.

Do you take insurance?

We choose to remain cash-based so you receive high-quality, personalized care that simply isn’t possible in the insurance model. No rushed five-minute visits, no restrictions, no “one-size-fits-all” treatment. Our patients consistently tell us they save time, money, and frustration by choosing care that is designed around them—not around insurance codes.

You Don’t Have to Live With This Pain

Cervical radiculopathy can take over your life — but it doesn’t have to.

Whether it's sleeping through the night, holding your grandkids, getting back to the gym, or just feeling like yourself again… we’re here to help you get there.

Ready to Start Feeling Better?

Schedule Your FREE Pain Assessment here
or call (801) 901-0867

Atomic Pilates & Chiropractic — Bluffdale, UT
Helping you FEEL better, MOVE better, and LIVE better.