Nerve Pain & Radiculopathy
Whether it’s a sharp electric shock or a deep ache, we’ll guide you to lasting relief
The information below outlines our evidence-based approach to assessing, managing, and resolving nerve pain
Mitchell Robinson
MSK Physiotherapist
We’ve spent countless hours researching nerve dysfunction, understanding the complexities of radiculopathy, and guiding patients from severe acute pain back to high-level function.
Don’t Ignore Nerve Pain
Nerve pain can worsen quickly and requires expert assessment to prevent long-term damage.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Nerve pain feels like electric currents, sharp shocks, burning, or distressing cold sensations. It is often accompanied by pins and needles, numbness, and weakness. Because nerves carry signals between your body and brain, damage distorts these messages—turning normal signals into pain or blocking them entirely.
Targeted Assessment
We don’t guess. We perform comprehensive neurological testing to pinpoint exactly which nerve is affected and what is causing the irritation, allowing for a precise and effective treatment plan.
Types of Nerve Pain We Treat
- Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica) — when nerves in the lower back get compressed and cause shooting leg pain.
- Cervical Radiculopathy — nerves in the neck getting compressed, causing arm pain, numbness, or headaches.
- Peripheral Neuropathy — dysfunction commonly affecting the feet, legs, hands, and arms.
- Post-Surgical Nerve Irritation — sensitivity or altered sensation following spinal or joint procedures.
- Trauma-Induced Nerve Pain — acute injuries, such as whiplash or falls, impacting nerve pathways.
- A Holistic Approach — assessing your whole body for biomechanical factors (e.g., restricted thoracic mobility or hip stiffness) that may be overloading your spine and irritating the nerve.
Trusted by the Mango Hill Community
Mitch is absolutely amazing! He is so friendly, respectful, and genuinely kind. He really takes the time to listen and makes you feel comfortable and supported throughout the whole process. You can tell he truly cares about his clients and wants the best outcomes for them. I always feel heard and well looked after. I couldn’t recommend Mitchell highly enough! an outstanding physio!
- paige (from nics google acc sorry nic x)
Why Early Intervention Matters
Nerve pain is fundamentally different from muscle pain, and the longer it’s left, the harder it is to treat.
- Early diagnosis is key: Conservative treatment is highly effective for conditions like sciatica and cervical radiculopathy when caught early and managed properly.
- Scans aren’t always the first step: A thorough clinical assessment is often more accurate for diagnosing the source of the pain than an MRI, which may show asymptomatic disc bulges.
- Physio is the constant: Whether you eventually need a specialist referral or not, targeted physiotherapy helps unload the nerve, restore mobility, and rebuild strength.
How We Assess Your Nerve Pain
Rather than rushing you off for unnecessary scans, we assess your nervous system against key clinical criteria:
- Reflexes & Motor Control: We test specific muscle groups to ensure the nerve is still firing properly. Weakness or foot drop indicates a nerve block that requires immediate attention.
- Sensory Mapping: We check dermatomes (skin sensation) to trace exactly which spinal level or peripheral branch is irritated.
- Neurodynamic Testing: We gently stretch the nerves (like the sciatic or median nerve) to see where they are catching or losing mobility along their pathway.
Do I Need an MRI?
- Clinical Diagnosis First: The best way to know what type of nerve pain you have is to be assessed in the clinic. Scans often show age-related changes that have nothing to do with your current pain.
- Targeted Referrals: A majority of people wait far too long to be diagnosed, or go through long arduous steps with GPs and scans that are completely unnecessary to start getting results. If your signs indicate a scan is needed, we will refer you directly.
At Abound Physio, our objective assessment ensures your spine and nervous system get the targeted treatment they need to heal, whether that involves conservative rehab or coordinating with pain specialists.
What Does Nerve Pain Recovery Look Like?
At Abound Physio, we combine hands-on therapy, biomechanical expertise, and targeted movement to build a rehab program focused on one thing: getting you out of pain and back to the life you love.
Progressing Beyond Pain Relief
We don’t just treat the symptoms; we address the root cause. Once the acute nerve irritation settles, we focus on rebuilding the strength and capacity of the surrounding muscles to prevent the compression from returning.
If the need arises that medication or surgical intervention is required, we have close professional ties to the best pain specialists and surgeons in the region, ensuring you get the exact care you need.
Abound’s Nerve Pain Assessment & Treatment
We trace the pain directly to the source, calm the nervous system, and restore your movement capacity. We guide you through:
1
Symptom Relief & Nerve Decompression
Initial treatment focuses on calming the highly sensitised nervous system. We use specific manual therapy and directional preference exercises to unload the irritated nerve.
- Hands-on Therapy: relieving severe muscle spasm and tissue tightness around the nerve roots.
- Postural Unloading: finding safe positions that immediately reduce your symptoms and allow the nerve room to breathe.
2
Restoring Neurodynamics (Nerve Mobility)
Nerves need to slide and glide smoothly through your muscles and joints. Once the inflammation drops, we use targeted neurodynamic exercises to restore this movement.
- Nerve Gliders: gentle, structured movements specifically designed to free up the nerve pathway and reduce tension.
- Mobility Restoration: improving the mechanics of surrounding joints (like your thoracic spine or hips) so your nerve has the room it needs to move.
3
Building Capacity & Prevention
The final step is bulletproofing the area. We build strength in the muscles that support your spine and joints, ensuring the nerve isn’t subjected to the same compressive forces again.
- Targeted Strength: core, glute, and spinal conditioning to build robust endurance.
- Biomechanical Coaching: improving how you move, lift, and work so you aren’t overloading the nervous system day to day.
The Nerve Pain Rehabilitation Pathway
We guide you systematically through your recovery:
- Acute Pain Management: Unloading the nerve and settling the severe symptoms.
- Mobility & Gliding: Restoring normal movement to the spine and nerve pathways.
- Local Strengthening: Building endurance in the stabilizing muscles.
- Global Conditioning: Integrating full-body movements for your work or sport.
- Unrestricted Living: Back to full function without fear of re-injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
All of our physiotherapists are highly trained in neurological assessment and the management of radiculopathy and peripheral nerve pain. During your initial consultation, your therapist will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the exact cause of your symptoms and build a treatment plan based on the latest evidence.
No. In most cases, a clinical assessment is actually more useful than a scan for determining the source of your pain. Many people go through long, arduous steps with GPs and expensive scans that are unnecessary to start getting results.
If our neurological testing indicates a scan is required, we can refer you directly and advise you on the next best steps for your care.
Nerve pain can often masquerade as a severe muscle tear, deep joint pain, or persistent stiffness. The best way to know is to come in and be thoroughly assessed by a professional.
We will map your symptoms (such as the exact location of the pins and needles, burning, or weakness) to specific nerve pathways to give you a definitive diagnosis, taking the guesswork out of your recovery.
We don’t just treat the symptoms; we find the root cause. We use precise clinical testing to measure nerve function and muscle capacity, meaning your rehab is targeted and measurable.
Plus, we don’t work in isolation. If your nerve pain is severe or requires medical intervention, we collaborate directly with top local pain specialists and surgeons to ensure you get comprehensive, multidisciplinary care.
Your next chapter begins with us
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Shop 7 Capestone Village
67 Capestone Blvd, Mango Hill 4509
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P: 0468 054 699
E: info@aboundphysio.com
F: 07 5547 5777
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Proudly serving Mango Hill, North Lakes, Rothwell, Deception Bay, Griffin and Kallangur. Conveniently located near Westfield North Lakes / Mango Hill Train Station.
Disclaimer
Every body is unique, and so is every recovery journey. While the team at Abound Physio is dedicated to supporting your health, mobility, and wellbeing, specific results will vary from person to person and cannot be guaranteed. Please speak with one of our qualified physiotherapists for advice tailored to your individual needs.