I've been having neck and arm pain on the left side for three months now. I’m supposed to see a physical therapist for this problem. What can I expect from this treatment?

The physical therapist will do a variety of tests to measure your strength, range of motion, reflexes, and sensation. Some additional tests may help pinpoint the location of the problem. These findings guide the therapist in choosing the right treatment for each patient.

Treatment may include neck traction, ultrasound, and nerve, joint, and soft tissue mobilization. Exercises to stretch and strengthen the neck and arms may be added later. The therapist will also look at your posture at home, work, during sleep, and other activities. A program to improve your posture is likely.

Reference:

LtCol Robert S. Wainner, PhD, PT, OCS, ECS, et al. Reliability and Diagnostic Accuracy of the Clinical Examination and Patient Self-Report Measures for Cervical Radiculopathy. In Spine. January 1, 2003. Vol. 28. No. 1. Pp. 52-62.

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I've been having neck and arm pain on the left side for three months now. I’m supposed to see a physical therapist for this problem. What can I expect from this treatment?