Understanding Shoulder and Arm Pain

Pain, numbness, tingling, or burning sensations radiating into the upper limbs are often indicative of peripheral nerve involvement, commonly referred to as radiculopathy or neuropraxia, depending on the mechanism and severity. These symptoms typically arise from irritation or compression of the cervical nerve roots, which exit the spine and converge to form the brachial plexus, the primary neural network supplying the upper extremities.

Common causes of nerve compression include:

• Cervical disc herniation

• Degenerative spondylosis with osteophyte formation

• Thoracic outlet syndrome (neurovascular compression between the clavicle and first rib)

• Peripheral entrapment syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or cubital tunnel syndrome

If untreated, chronic nerve compression may lead to:

• Sensory deficits: numbness, paraesthesia, or dysaesthesia

• Motor impairments: weakness, reduced grip strength, and muscle atrophy

• Myelopathy: in cases where bilateral limb symptoms or coordination loss occur, suggesting spinal cord compression, requiring urgent referral

Our Diagnostic Approach

At Corrective Spinal Rehab, each case begins with a detailed orthopaedic and neurological assessment. This includes:

• Segmental mobility testing

• Dermatomal and myotomal evaluation

• Reflex integrity and neural tension tests

• Postural and biomechanical analysis

When necessary, we liaise with radiology or medical specialists for advanced imaging (e.g., MRI, EMG) to confirm the diagnosis.

Multidisciplinary Treatment Approach

a) Manual Therapy & Specific Segmental Correction

Once mechanical nerve compression is confirmed and no contraindications are present, treatment focuses on relieving pressure on the affected nerve through:

• Chiropractic adjustments and osteopathic mobilisation

• Cervical and thoracic joint decompression techniques

• Myofascial and soft tissue release to address neural tethering or muscle guarding

b) Physiotherapeutic Rehabilitation

Our physiotherapy team collaborates closely to:

• Restore scapular and cervical motor control

• Correct postural dysfunction contributing to nerve irritation

• Rebuild endurance and coordination in upper limb musculature

• Utilise nerve gliding techniques to enhance neural mobility and reduce irritation

c) Lifestyle, Ergonomics & Neuromuscular Education

To ensure lasting outcomes, we address:

• Workplace ergonomics: positioning, repetitive strain, and load management

• Sleep positioning: ensuring optimal cervical alignment

• Postural retraining: correcting forward-head and rounded-shoulder patterns

• Breathing mechanics: improving diaphragm activation and thoracic mobility

Our Commitment

Whether your symptoms stem from acute injury, postural overload, or chronic degeneration, our integrated, evidence-based approach delivers targeted care tailored to your functional goals.

We combine hands-on expertise with modern rehabilitation principles to help you restore function, reduce pain, and regain confidence in movement.