By Dr. David Slossberg, Chiropractic Physician — Ponte Vedra Beach Chiropractic
Every so often, a patient walks into my office in a way that tells the story before they say a word. This patient came in cradling her left arm with her right hand, unable to lift or move it on its own. Her neck pain was constant and unrelenting, a 10 out of 10, radiating from her neck down her left arm and into her hand.
She works as a bartender at a busy restaurant, and the pain had made it impossible for her to work. What made it more frustrating was that it seemed to come out of nowhere. There was no injury, no accident, no specific event she could point to. She had already tried ice, heat, and over-the-counter medications at home with no relief before coming to see me.
The Examination Of The Pinched Nerve
After taking a thorough history, I performed a comprehensive examination. The findings were significant:
- Severe muscle spasm throughout her neck and upper back
- Severely limited range of motion in her neck and left shoulder
- Orthopedic tests indicating severe nerve root compression (pinched nerve) on the left side of her neck
- Neurological testing showing marked weakness in the left arm and shoulder muscles, decreased reflexes, and decreased sensation in the left arm
Taken together, these findings pointed clearly to cervical radiculopathy, what most people call a “pinched nerve” in the neck, most likely caused by a problem with one of the discs in her cervical spine.
X-Ray Findings
I ordered cervical X-rays that showed moderate misalignment and disc degeneration in her neck, along with narrowing of the intervertebral foramen on the left side. The intervertebral foramen is the opening where the nerve exits the spine, so narrowing there can contribute directly to nerve compression.
It’s important to note that X-rays cannot show a disc herniation, that requires an MRI. But based on her examination findings, neurological deficits, and X-ray results, a cervical disc herniation causing nerve root compression was the most likely diagnosis.
Treatment Began That Same Day
I don’t believe in making a patient who is in that much pain wait to start care. On her first visit, she received:
- Electrical muscle stimulation to help calm the muscle spasm
- Class IV laser therapy to reduce pain and inflammation
- A very gentle, instrument-assisted chiropractic adjustment
I re-evaluated her immediately after treatment, and she reported a decrease in both her neck and arm pain, a good early sign.
She went home with clear instructions: alternate ice and heat while resting in a position that limited her pain. I also recommended a curcumin-based supplement, omega-3 fish oils, and magnesium to help reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle tension naturally.
That night, I messaged her to check on how she was responding. Her neck and arm pain had continued to improve.
Rapid Improvement
She returned for treatment the next two consecutive days. Each visit included a gentle chiropractic adjustment, electrical muscle stimulation, and Class IV laser therapy.
By Friday, just days after she came in unable to move her arm, she reported significant improvement in her symptoms and was able to return to work.
The Ongoing Plan For Healing A Pinched Nerve
At her re-evaluation the following Monday, I added cervical spinal decompression therapy to her treatment plan to further reduce the pressure on the affected nerve and promote healing of the disc.
Once she is significantly improved, we’ll begin a strengthening program for the neck and upper back. Along the way, she’ll continue to receive guidance on posture, home exercises, and lifestyle habits to strengthen the problem area and help prevent this from happening again.
Experiencing Neck Pain, Arm Pain, or Numbness?
Symptoms like neck pain, pain radiating into the arm, numbness, tingling, or weakness should never be ignored. Identifying the underlying cause early and beginning the right treatment can make a dramatic difference in how quickly, and how fully you recover.
At Ponte Vedra Beach Chiropractic, we provide comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans for cervical radiculopathy, disc injuries, neck pain, and nerve compression.
Call our office at 904-285-2243 or visit PonteVedraBeachChiro.com to schedule an evaluation.
Results vary from patient to patient. This case study represents one patient’s experience and is not a guarantee of similar outcomes.