Radiculopathy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.

What kind of doctor treats Radiculopathy?

A primary care doctor can start the evaluation. A physiatrist (a rehabilitation doctor) or an orthopedic surgeon (a bone and joint surgeon) often treats radiculopathy. You may want to see a pain specialist if you have ongoing pain. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.

What is radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy is a condition that affects one or more of the spinal nerve roots. Nerve roots are large nerves that branch out from the spinal cord. Pressure on a nerve root can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness.

Cervical radiculopathy happens in the neck. It is commonly called a pinched nerve. A nerve in the neck is squeezed or irritated where it leaves the spinal cord. The lower back (the lumbar area) is the most common area of the spine affected by a herniated disk.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the site of the injury. In the neck, you may notice:

  • Pain that starts at the neck and travels down the arm.
  • Tingling or a feeling of pins and needles in the fingers or hand.
  • Weakness in the muscles of the arm, shoulder, or hand.

With a herniated disk in the lower back, you may have sharp pain in one part of the leg, hip, or buttocks. Weakness can make it hard to lift your leg or arm.

Causes and who gets it

In the neck, it most often comes from wear-and-tear changes in the spine with age. An injury that causes a herniated (bulging) disk can also cause it. Nearly half of all people middle-aged and older have worn disks and pinched nerves that do not cause painful symptoms.

A herniated disk is a cause of radiculopathy. Herniated disks happen more often in middle-aged and older men, usually after strenuous activity. Other risk factors may include lifting heavy objects, being overweight, and bending or twisting the lower back or neck again and again.

How doctors diagnose it

A careful physical exam and history is the first step. Your provider looks for muscle weakness, loss of sensation, or any change in your reflexes. An X-ray can show the alignment of the neck bones and any narrowing of the openings where nerves exit. An MRI can show if a bulging or herniated disk is causing the nerve compression. An EMG (electromyography) test measures electrical signals in the muscles at rest and during contractions. A spine X-ray alone cannot diagnose a herniated disk.

Treatment

Initial treatment for cervical radiculopathy is nonsurgical. The options below are for the neck type. Most people with cervical radiculopathy get better over time and may not need treatment. Options include:

  • Physical therapy, which uses specific exercises to relieve pain, strengthen neck muscles, and improve range of motion.
  • A soft cervical collar, worn only for a short time, because long-term wear may weaken the neck muscles.
  • Pain medicines called NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, if pain comes from nerve irritation or inflammation (swelling).
  • Steroid shots near the nerve, which may ease swelling and pain long enough for the nerve to recover.

Narcotics, like opioids, are saved for severe pain that other options do not relieve. They are usually prescribed for a limited time only, because they have side effects and can be highly addictive. Surgery may be an option if your symptoms do not go away with other treatments and time. One surgery is a diskectomy, which removes all or part of a disk.

When to see a doctor

Contact your provider if you have severe back pain that does not go away. Contact your provider if you have loss of movement, or numbness or weakness in other parts of your body. Contact your provider right away if you lose control of your urine or stool. Also contact your provider right away if you have weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg, or pelvis. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain or discomfort that lasts two minutes or more, or sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body.

How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in

A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either type of doctor can do the careful exam and history that is the first step. They can also help you decide when to see a specialist if your symptoms do not improve.

Common questions

Does radiculopathy go away on its own?

Most people with cervical radiculopathy get better over time. For some, the pain goes away in days or weeks, and for others it may take longer. With a herniated disk, pain, numbness, or weakness often goes away or improves a lot over weeks to months.

When is surgery needed for radiculopathy?

Your doctor may recommend surgery if other treatment does not relieve your symptoms after a while. The type of surgery depends on your symptoms and the location of the involved nerve root.

Lumbar radiculopathy is listed as another name for sciatica. Sciatica means pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg. It is caused by injury to or pressure on the sciatic nerve. It is a symptom of a medical problem, not a medical condition by itself.

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus - Herniated disk
  2. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve)
  3. MedlinePlus - Sciatica

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.