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