Neck Pain & Cervical Radiculopathy Treatment in McKinney, TX

Understanding Neck Pain

Neck pain can be painful, frustrating, and limiting. When it’s accompanied by radiculopathy—pain that travels from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand—it can interfere with nearly every aspect of your daily life.

Many people associate neck pain with conditions like disc herniation, disc bulges, or degenerative disc disease. You might even have an MRI report showing spondylosis or spondylolisthesis. However, these findings don’t always explain your pain.

In fact, research by Nakashima et al. found that many adults have these spinal “abnormalities” on imaging but experience no symptoms at all. In other words, you are not your MRI—and having these findings doesn’t mean you’re destined for chronic pain.

How Tempered Physical Therapy Can Help

At Tempered Physical Therapy, we treat both acute and chronic neck pain, as well as neck pain with radiating arm symptoms. Each condition requires an individualized approach, but all of our treatment plans share two key goals:

• Restore movement in the cervical spine

• Strengthen the muscles that support and protect your neck

Treatment Options for Neck Pain

Your personalized plan may include a combination of the following evidence-based techniques:

• Spinal manipulation or joint mobilization

• Soft tissue massage and myofascial release

• Dry needling with or without electrical stimulation

• Myofascial decompression (cupping)

• Targeted exercise prescription

• Lifestyle and movement modifications

Treating Cervical Radiculopathy (Neck Pain with Arm Symptoms)

When neck pain radiates into your arm, it’s often due to inflammation around a nerve root, which affects the nerve’s ability to function normally. Our goal is to improve nerve health, reduce inflammation, and restore mobility.

Your treatment plan may include:

• Cervical spine joint mobilization

• Nerve sliders, gliders, and tensioners

• Progressive strengthening exercises

• Dry needling with or without electrical stimulation

• Cardiovascular exercise to improve circulation

• Lifestyle education and stress management strategies

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an MRI or X-ray before starting physical therapy?

Not necessarily. Unless you’ve experienced a major trauma (like a car accident or a fall), you can typically begin physical therapy without imaging. We’ll perform a thorough evaluation to determine the best course of action.

I have numbness, tingling, or pain in my arm—does that mean I have a disc herniation?

Not always. Many people have disc herniations without pain. Your symptoms are more likely related to inflammation and irritation of the tissues surrounding the nerve, which we can effectively treat through physical therapy.

Is my neck pain caused by poor posture?

Posture plays a role, but it’s not the only factor. We often say, “Your best posture is your next posture,” meaning your body thrives on movement. During your evaluation, we’ll assess your posture and develop a strengthening plan to help you stay comfortable in daily positions.

Start Your Recovery Today

If you’re struggling with neck pain or radiating arm symptoms and aren’t sure whether physical therapy can help, schedule a complimentary 15-minute discovery call to discuss your options.

Call us at 214-291-5378 or book your appointment online

At Tempered Physical Therapy in McKinney, TX, we’ll help you understand your condition, reduce your pain, and regain the confidence to move freely again.