How to Find Relief from Radiating Neck Pain
Neck pain alone is bad enough. It can prevent you from turning your head and keep you up at night. But sometimes, neck pain doesn’t stay in your neck. Instead, it radiates down into your shoulder, arm, and even your hand, amplifying your discomfort.
Don’t worry. The team at Connecticut Physical Therapy Specialists can help resolve or manage radiating neck pain (officially known as cervical radiculopathy). Our physical therapists can help pinpoint why you’re experiencing symptoms and provide strategies to overcome them.
In fact, we did exactly this for a recent patient, Melissa. Keep reading to learn what we did for Melissa — or call our clinic to learn what we can do for you.
Interpreting Melissa’s Symptoms to Find the Cause
Melissa was in her early 60s when she began to experience a sharp pain in her neck. At first, she thought she could just ignore it until it went away. But then she began experiencing these additional symptoms:
- Pain that spread down into her shoulder and arm
- Numbness and tingling along the back of her arm and into her middle finger
- A sense of weakness in her tricep muscle
The only thing that seemed to help her symptoms was lifting her hand over her head, but obviously, this wasn’t a permanent solution.
Our team conducted a thorough evaluation to get to the root of Melissa’s pain — literally. We traced her symptoms to her C7 nerve root, located at the base of her neck. The nerve there was irritated by a herniated disc in Melissa’s cervical spine. Because the affected nerve spread down to her finger, she felt her symptoms throughout her arm.
Addressing the Cause to Help Melissa Find Relief
Most people experience herniated discs in their lower back. However, cervical herniated discs can happen — and just like their more common counterparts, physical therapy is a great choice for resolving the condition. Here’s what we did for Melissa:
Step 1: Manage Acute Pain
We helped Melissa identify that her symptoms were worse when she turned her head to the left and when she tried to sleep on her side. To help her get a good night’s sleep, we provided her with a cervical pillow and suggested she sleep on her back for the time being.
During our sessions, we used soft tissue manipulation to help the muscles in Melissa’s neck and shoulder relax and to promote blood circulation to the area, which would help her herniated disc heal. We also gently guided her neck through its current range of motion to start working on her neck’s mobility.
Step 2: Stretch and Strengthen
Melissa’s herniated disc had likely developed due to age-related degeneration in Melissa’s cervical discs. This was compounded by the fact that Melissa was a writer who spent a great deal of time sitting at her desk, which negatively affected her posture.
To counteract these issues, we guided Melissa through several exercises designed to improve her range of motion and strengthen the muscles of her neck and upper back. The strengthening exercises were particularly important, as they helped support Melissa’s cervical spine.
Step 3: Prevent Future Occurrences
After six weeks of physical therapy, Melissa’s symptoms had largely resolved. However, we wanted to ensure she didn’t suffer another cervical herniated disc. We did a couple of things to help her accomplish this:
- Corrected Her Posture: We helped Melissa recognize when she was holding her spine in alignment, regardless of what she was doing.
- Created an Ergonomic Workstation: We worked with Melissa to redesign her computer workstation so that her monitor was at eye level — meaning she wouldn’t have to strain her neck to look at her screen.
- Suggest Simple Lifestyle Modifications: The fact that Melissa spent so much time sitting increased the likelihood of her developing a herniated disc. We helped her devise a plan to take frequent breaks throughout the day using a kitchen timer: 30 minutes of work, then 5 minutes of standing up and stretching.
We Helped Melissa, and We Can Help You!
If you, like Melissa, are struggling with radiating neck pain, schedule an appointment at Connecticut Physical Therapy Specialists. Our team of physical therapists will assess your symptoms and create a customized treatment plan just for you!
Thomas Wyszynski
Thomas Wyszynski is a physical therapist who has been practicing in the Greater Hartford area since 2000. He earned his Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Connecticut in 2000.
In 2009, Thomas completed fellowship training through The Manual Therapy Institute, earning the designation of Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT). His extensive training and years of clinical experience provide him with a strong foundation in orthopedic and manual physical therapy.
Outside of the clinic, Thomas enjoys spending time with his family and cooking.
Our Patients Get Great Results
We’re grateful for the trust our patients place in us every day. Here’s what one of them had to say about their experience at Connecticut Physical Therapy Specialists.
“The therapists are extremely knowledgeable. The treatment here is very individualized — they aren’t just following a protocol. They are able to figure out which muscle imbalances are causing pain (even joint pain) and give specific exercises and stretches to correct them. I understand my problem because of their help, and now I am able to get back to the activities I love!”
What Can I Expect During a Physical Therapy Session?
At Connecticut Physical Therapy Specialists, we want to ensure all of our patients feel comfortable when they see us. Visiting a new healthcare professional can be nerve-wracking for many, but knowing what you can expect during your appointments helps ease your concerns.
The Initial Appointment
Your initial appointment is a chance for us to learn more about you and your condition. This is not like a check-up at the doctor’s office, which tends to be pretty cursory. Instead, you can expect a comprehensive evaluation lasting up to an hour. We’ll…
- Review your health history.
- Discuss your symptoms in detail.
- Conduct movement screens that allow us to examine your strength, mobility, balance, and more.
- Share your personalized treatment plan.
Subsequent Appointments
During your subsequent appointments, we’ll guide you through your treatment program. Physical therapy sessions are active, so wear loose, comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely.
The details of each of your sessions will vary based on your needs and prescribed plan, but here’s an example of a typical session to give you an idea of what to expect:
- Manual therapy or other pain management techniques, if needed
- A brief warm-up (such as a series of mobility work, riding a stationary bike, or walking on the treadmill)
- Your prescribed therapeutic exercises
- Our PTs will guide you through each one to ensure you’re performing it correctly
- We’ll also track your progress, increasing (or decreasing) intensity as needed
- A brief cool-down and review of your program
We also typically prescribe home exercise programs (HEPs). As the name suggests, these are exercises that you can perform at home. It’s essential that you don’t skip them! Completing your HEPs will help you make the most of your time in the clinic.
Want more personalized guidance about what to expect during your session? Call to talk to our friendly staff today!
Your Deductible Doesn’t Roll Over Into the New Year
Many insurance deductibles reset every January 1st. If you’ve already met yours in 2026, now is one of the most affordable times all year to keep up with treatment, work through a lingering ache, or finally start physical therapy for that injury you’ve been putting off — before the clock resets.
Schedule Your AppointmentExercise of the Month
Activated Sit to Stand (Glutes/Legs)
Instructions
Sit tall at the front of a sturdy chair with your feet flat on the floor, about hip-width apart. Before you move, gently tighten your core and squeeze your glutes to “activate” them. Lean your chest slightly forward, press through your heels, and stand up slowly until your hips and knees are fully straight. Pause briefly at the top, then reach your hips back and lower yourself down to the chair with control.
3 Sets, 10 Reps
Materials Needed: Sturdy chair
Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner? Manage Stress with These Tips
We love Thanksgiving at Connecticut Physical Therapy Specialists. It’s a time to gather with friends and family, enjoy a great meal, and give thanks for all of the year’s blessings. But we also know the big day can be stressful—especially if you’re hosting.
Here are a few simple tips to stay happy and healthy this Thanksgiving:
- Try some deep breathing exercises. In the thick of cooking five different side dishes and feeling overwhelmed? Try box breathing, a simple technique in which you slowly breathe in and out for 3-4 counts.
- Fix a balanced plate. Rather than stressing about overindulging, just make sure to add some green veggies to your plate alongside the cornbread stuffing and fried turkey.
- Don’t forget your post-meal walk. If you prepped dinner, let someone else take care of the dishes while you take a relaxing stroll around the neighborhood. Relax–you earned it!
Roasted Butternut Squash & Cranberry Salad
This vibrant fall salad pairs sweet roasted butternut squash with tart dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a light balsamic vinaigrette — a simple, nutrient-rich side (or light lunch) that comes together in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 5 cups mixed greens or baby spinach
- â…“ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped pecans, toasted
- ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss the butternut squash cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, cinnamon, salt, and pepper, then roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender and lightly caramelized.
Whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey for the dressing. In a large bowl, toss the greens with the roasted squash, cranberries, pecans, and goat cheese, then drizzle with the dressing and serve.
Why We Love It: This salad brings together seasonal produce, fiber, and healthy fats in one dish — a great make-ahead side for Thanksgiving or a satisfying lunch any day of the week.
Your Care, Your Choice
Don’t Let Your Insurance Benefits Go to Waste
As the end of the year approaches, now is the perfect time to take advantage of any remaining physical therapy benefits before your insurance deductible resets.
Many patients have already met their deductible, making this one of the most affordable times of the year to continue treatment, address lingering aches and pains, or start physical therapy before January arrives.
Remember—you have the right to choose where you receive physical therapy. Choose the provider you trust to help you move better, recover faster, and reach your goals.
Schedule Your VisitWe Are Hiring!
Are you a passionate Doctor of Physical Therapy looking to make a meaningful impact?
Join our team and become an integral part of our mission to enhance lives through rehabilitation and wellness. We’re seeking a dedicated and skilled individual to join our dynamic team, providing exceptional care and support to our valued patients.
As a Doctor of Physical Therapy with us, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse and talented team, utilizing the latest techniques and technologies to help our patients achieve their goals.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and make a difference in the lives of others, we want to hear from you!
Apply Today
