Physiotherapists can help make your pain go away by pinpointing its source.

One example is Radiculopathy. You’ve probably never heard of it, but Radiculopathy could be the source of that mysterious pain in your shoulder, arm, wrist or pain. Difficult as it may be to believe, the source of the pain may actually be a pinched nerve in the neck.

In this article, I’ll explain what Radiculopathy is and how it can be treated. After all, there is no reason to live with pain. A little knowledge goes a long way in making an informed decision about how to proceed.

Radiculopathy is a radiating pain to the limb, or a condition in which the source of pain is actually in the spine but travels down to the limb.

This applies to both neck and back. It is similar to low back pain that could radiate pain down to buttock, thigh, leg or even foot.

One cause of Radiculopathy is a harmful pressure of the nerve root due to deformities of the disc or disc herniation.

Sometimes, patients  may not even be aware of their spinal problem. Their necks or backs may not even hurt, but their limbs could be painful and restricted with some movements. All these symptoms could easily be mistaken for tendonitis or other joint dysfunctions. And it’s al the more reason to seek the expert advice of a physiotherapist.

Radiculopathy also affects sensation. You might feel numbness, tingling or a burning sensation on parts of a limb.

MRI scans can detect disc disease and confirm Radiculopathy. But MRI is not universally available or affordable. In many places, you have to wait for months for an MRI. While you wait, the pain continues. So you have to take pain medication and wait in pain. And it’s all because it can take so long for the MRI test to get done.

So remember this key point: the sooner the Radicuopathy is detected, the sooner the treatment can begin. And the sooner the treatment begins, the sooner the pain will subside.

Fortunately, physiotherapists are trained to treat Radiculopathy. With a proper examination, an experienced physiotherapist can easily differentiate Radiculopathy from a joint dysfunction.

What come next, once the diagnosis has been made? There are several treatment options. Physiotherapists can apply electrotherapy treatment including such modalities as ultrasound, laser, or interferential currency. This reduces radiating pain, muscle tension and numbness. It also improves blood circulation.

Physiotherapists can also apply manual therapy for soft tissue release and joint mobilization.

But that’s not all. Physiotherapists teach proper stretches and exercises to prevent or improve movement restrictions. Physiotherapists will also give you advice about pain management techniques, and all the do’s and don’ts of daily activities.

Many people believe that a doctor’s referral is required to see a physiotherapist, but that’s not so in most places and in most circumstances.

The bottom line, once again, is this: why live with pain? If you are suffering from shoulder, arm, wrist or hand pain or any kind of radiating pain, don’t suffer any longer. And don’t delay. Seeing a physiotherapist is a wise decision. Make an appointment today.