Chronic Pain

Cervical Radiculopathy exercise guide

Nerve root compression in the neck causing arm pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. Often from disc herniation or bone spurs. Symptoms typically follow a specific nerve root pattern down the arm.

Prescriptions

Cautions

Medical clearance recommended

Use clinician guidance before starting or progressing this module, especially after injury, surgery, or symptom flare.

Safety notes

AVOID: Movements that increase arm symptoms, aggressive stretching, heavy extension and rotation combined, and nerve tensioning exercises unless cleared. USE: Symptom-free range of motion, posture correction, scapular strengthening. Stop if arm symptoms worsen or spread. Consider clinician-guided nerve glides when appropriate.

Contraindications

Use Caution

Adjustable Gripper (Controlled): Hand grippers may stress arthritic finger joints

Modify: Use low resistance, stop if joint pain increases

Use Caution

Rice Bucket Dig and Squeeze: Rice bucket high volume may aggravate arthritic joints

Modify: Keep sessions short (1-2 min), avoid during flares

Use Caution

high_volume_gripping: High volume may trigger arthritis flares

Modify: Shorter sessions, monitor for next-day swelling

Use Caution

nerve_tensioning: Aggressive nerve stretching can irritate compressed nerve roots and worsen arm symptoms.

Modify: Only use clinician-guided nerve glides when cleared. Stop if arm symptoms increase.

Use Caution

extension_loading: Extension can narrow the spinal canal and nerve exit holes, potentially worsening radiculopathy.

Modify: Avoid combined extension with rotation. Keep extension movements small and pain-free.

Prescribed exercise pathways

Phase and safety-level mappings make condition guidance actionable for home programs, clinician plans, and future personalization.

Prescriptions are being reviewed

This condition module is live; exercise prescriptions will appear as reviewed mappings are published.