Concurrent Treatment for Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy

The Concurrent Use of Intermittent Cervical Traction and Neuromobilization Techniques in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy

This study evaluates the effectiveness of two treatment interventions in patients with cervical radiculopathy. One group will receive a concurrent approach using traction and neuromobilizations. The other group will receive the sequential approach of traction and neuromobilizations

Physical therapists routinely use cervical traction and manual therapy in patients with cervical radiculopathy. The standard of care is a sequential approach in which the patients receive interventions successively. This study will provide the standard of care approach for one group while the other group receives the concurrent approach in which the patient will have neuromobilizations while they are receiving mechanical traction. Both groups will also receive exercise and manual therapy to the cervical and thoracic spine.

Inclusion criteria:

• Participants that test positive on at least 3 out of 4 special tests.
• Participants will score at least 10 on the Neck Disability Index
• Participants will score at least 2 on the numeric pain rating scale

Exclusion Criteria:

• Do not test positive on at least 3 of 4 special tests.
• Signs of cervical trauma
• Cervical myelopathy
• Active pregnancy
• Medical red flags (fracture, tumor, long term steroid use, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis)
• Evidence of vascular compromise
• Cervical spine surgery
• Recent injections in the past six weeks