| The vertebrae are a series of bones connected | | | | What are the treatments for Cervical Stenosis? |
| to each other forming the neck, also known as | | | | Depending on the stage of cervical stenosis, |
| the cervical spine. The spinal canal, which encloses | | | | treatments may be operative or non-operative. |
| the spinal cord, runs through the vertebrae. The | | | | Usually, patients who have severe fragility and |
| spinal cord contains major nerves that allow arm | | | | pain in the affected areas and difficulty in walking |
| and leg movements, sensation, including bladder | | | | require surgery. Non-operative or conservative |
| control and bowel movements. | | | | treatment, which includes cervical stenosis physical |
| Cervical stenosis is the condition characterized by | | | | therapy, is ideal for mild cases. |
| the narrowing of the spinal canal. It occurs with | | | | Patients should understand that cervical stenosis |
| age as the intervertebral discs starts to lack | | | | physical therapy would not reduce the narrowing |
| water content and hardens. The discs can shrink | | | | of the spinal canal or bring it back to normal size. |
| in height and stick out into the spinal canal. Spinal | | | | The goal of cervical stenosis physical therapy is |
| joints also bulge and protrude into the spinal canal. | | | | long-term pain management and increased |
| When the spinal canal narrows, the resulting | | | | function that will enable the patient to control pain |
| pressure on the spinal cord leads to another | | | | effectively and function normally without having |
| condition called cervical myelopathy, which affects | | | | to undergo surgery. |
| nerve functions. | | | | Cervical stenosis physical therapy starts with |
| Cervical stenosis usually does not have | | | | improving flexibility in the neck, arms and legs |
| symptoms. If it has advanced to cervical | | | | through stretching exercises. It is also important |
| myelopathy, the patient may experience neck | | | | to increase circulation and develop endurance in |
| and arm pain, weakness, and difficulty in moving | | | | the arms and legs with cardiovascular exercises |
| the arms and legs. Incontinence also occurs in | | | | such as swimming and treadmill exercises. Your |
| later stages of the disease. Symptoms may | | | | therapist may also add strengthening exercises in |
| appear gradually or develop rapidly. | | | | your program. While most of these exercises are |
| Early detection plays a crucial role in the | | | | always under professional supervision, your |
| prevention and treatment of cervical stenosis and | | | | therapist will also provide you with exercises that |
| cervical myelopathy. Your doctor will perform a | | | | you can perform independently. |
| physical examination and diagnostic tests and | | | | Supervised cervical stenosis physical therapy may |
| recommend an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging | | | | take three or more months. If your condition |
| ) and CT (Computed Tomography) scan to be | | | | does not improve after cervical stenosis physical |
| able to see the level of narrowing of the spinal | | | | therapy, your physician will then recommend |
| canal. You may have to undergo other tests for a | | | | surgery. |
| complete diagnosis. | | | | |