Spinal stenosis in the neck is a condition that is not uncommon in older individuals whose spinal anatomy has begun to degenerate. The aging process often causes intervertebral discs to weaken, vertebrae to shift out of place, spinal ligaments to thicken, and bone spurs to develop adjacent to facet joints and along vertebral endplates. Any of these factors can cause stenosis (a narrowing) of spaces within the spinal column, and this poses the risk of compression on nearby spinal nerves. Stenosis, or narrowing, can occur in the cervical spine (neck), lumbar spine (lower back), or thoracic spine (middle back), though thoracic stenosis is far less common.

Only a doctor can diagnose you with spinal stenosis, regardless of whether it is in the neck, middle back, or lower back. Once you have been diagnosed, your physician will likely start you on a conservative treatment regimen that involves prescription or over-the-counter pain medication, behavior modification, heat therapy, cold compresses, low-impact exercises, epidural steroid injections, gentle stretching, or some form of physical therapy. Surgery is generally not considered a treatment option until all non-invasive treatments have failed at relieving stenosis symptoms for a period of three months or longer.

Exercises and Stretches for Spinal Stenosis in the Neck

Many patients who experience spinal stenosis neck pain may at first think it’s counterintuitive to exercise or stretch – it seems like periods of rest would be the obvious treatment choice, right? However, because stenosis is not a condition that will “heal” itself with rest, like a sprained ligament or strained muscle, too much inactivity can actually cause the stenosis to worsen. Keeping your muscles strong, your ligaments lithe, your spinal column limber, and your blood flowing are all essential in helping your body to manage the pain of stenosis. Exercise also will encourage the production of endorphins, your body’s natural pain killers. Be careful not to embark on any regimen of stretching or exercise without a doctor’s approval, and always stop any activity that exacerbates your pain or causes numbness anywhere in your body.

Possible stretches and exercises you can perform to mitigate the pain of cervical stenosis include:

– Restorative yoga poses
– Gentle neck circles
– Slowly turning your head from side to side
– Walking or hiking
– Cycling on a recumbent stationary bike
– Swimming
– Using an elliptical trainer

Your doctor may also recommend nutritional and lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining a healthy body weight, eating nutritious foods, quitting smoking, and limiting the intake of alcohol.

Alternative Treatment Options for Cervical Stenosis

Many patients who suffer from cervical spinal stenosis have found some relief by integrating alternative pain management techniques into their regular treatment regimen, although the efficacy of alternative treatments is debated in some medical circles. Talk to your doctor about the potential benefits of acupuncture, acupressure, biofeedback, massage, chiropractic manipulation, meditation, and herbal remedies. These holistic therapies focus on the body’s overall health and balance, including the health and balance of the neuromuscular system. For instance, acupuncture – the insertion of hair-thin needles into various pressure points along the body – is believed to help reroute or scramble pain signals that are being sent from your cervical spine to your brain, which may reduce your discomfort and provide you with temporary relief.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for spinal stenosis and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Spinal stenosis