If you have lumbar spinal stenosis, lifestyle adjustments can typically help decrease back discomfort caused by narrowing gaps in the spinal canal. There are guidelines for what you should and should not do. Here are some things to avoid with cervical spinal stenosis
Just as there are guidelines for what you should and should not do, you may be waiting for it to go away. You may be doing exercises without knowing if they are sufficient or of the proper type ,you may also be thinking if surgery is necessary to correct the condition. This article discusses things to avoid with cervical spinal stenosis .It also looks at some non surgical methods for relieving pain and strengthening your spine.
What is Spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a disorder in which the spinal column narrows. This happens normally as we age and might produce symptoms in elderly people. The spinal cord is contained within the spinal canal which is made up of vertebrae and spinal discs. The central nervous system which connects your brain to the rest of your body is also housed in your spine. The narrowing of the spinal canal can disrupt the healthy functioning of the central nervous system and impair the brain’s capacity to connect efficiently with the rest of the body. Spinal stenosis can occur in the neck cervical spinal stenosis or the lower back lumbar stenosis .
Let’s see a list of things to avoid with cervical spinal stenosis
1. Do not perform exercises that cause your neck to roll around
Do not perform exercises that cause your neck to roll around when you have cervical spinal stenosis. You can conduct a variety of workouts safely,these are some examples :
- from one side to the other side
- tilt chin tuck
- shoulder circles
Strengthener exercises that roll your neck around on the other hand are not recommended when you have cervical spinal stenosis; such exercises might aggravate the disease and cause more pain and discomfort.
2. Avoid straining your neck
One of the most important things to avoid with cervical spinal stenosis is putting additional strain on the neck. Neck strain increases the likelihood of nerve impingement muscular swelling and muscle spasms all of which can contribute to persistent cervical spinal stenosis. Neck strain can be exacerbated when you bend your neck for an extended amount of time when using mobile phones or laptop computers.
3. Bed rest
If you are healing from an injury or a medical condition you should avoid excessive bed rest. Make time to extend your neck and hold your head up in a good position to avoid weakening your supportive neck muscles and tendons.
4. Poor sleeping posture
If you have cervical spinal stenosis it is vital that you choose a proper sleeping posture because sleeping in an unnatural position can aggravate the issue. To ensure that you don’t worsen the condition, consider using a neck brace while sleeping to keep your cervical spine in the appropriate position.
5. Stop hoping it will go away
You may be hopeful that your symptoms would simply go away however lumbar spinal stenosis is distinct from other problems, often worsens if nothing is done.
6. Don’t look down at your phone or tablet
Don’t look down at your phone or tablet for a long period of time. When you gaze down you put more tension on your neck. If you do this for an extended period of time more than 10 minutes you risk pinching nerves and triggering further problems with cervical spinal stenosis.
7. Avoid improper neck positions
Patients with cervical spinal stenosis frequently exhibit a variety of uncomfortable neck positions. Avoid craning your neck to your ear during phone calls carrying excessively big weights on your head or carrying only one shoulder bag. These postures cause hypertension which strains and impinges the nerve eventually leading to joint stiffness and cervical spinal stenosis. The use of hands free and two strap bags to symmetrically expand weight on both shoulders may cure neurological damage.
8. Sports
If you have cervical spinal stenosis avoid contact sports. When you play contact sports like football or hockey, you are more likely to injure your spine however moderate activity is beneficial to healing when combined with proper posture.
9. Smoking and alcohol
We know that excessive alcohol use and smoking cause weakness and numbness in the arms and legs. However it might also impede the healing process, if you have cervical spinal stenosis you should aim to limit your alcohol usage. Similarly smoking harms the neurons by cutting off the blood flow to the neurological system owing to atherosclerosis clogged arteries. Smoking cessation lowers the risk of nerve injury and hypoxia low tissue level oxygen status both of which contribute to the development of cervical spinal stenosis.
10. Stop worrying about if surgery is the only option
Your healthcare professional may have discussed treatment choices with you, you may have heard of a spinal procedure known as a lumbar laminectomy. Non-invasive therapy and surgery offer equivalent long term outcomes for lumbar spinal stenosis in some people. For example epidural steroid injections in which medication is administered into your spine may be a helpful therapy option. For some people surgery may appear to be a frightening alternative but it may be the best decision in some cases. The best treatment for you is determined by a variety of factors including the severity of your spinal stenosis, which levels and how many levels of your spine are affected, your age, overall health and your willingness to participate in post operative rehabilitation.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis?
The main symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis are neck pain, arms pain, lack of coordination, muscle spasms etc.
What are the treatments for cervical spinal stenosis?
Some of the treatments for cervical spinal stenosis are medicines, bed rest and physical therapy.
Conclusion
Maintaining spinal health is essential for our overall health and well-being. By adopting a healthy style and activities, we can promote it easily. There are certain things to Avoid With Cervical Spinal Stenosis, which we have mentioned in the article to enhance the efficiency of your spinal condition. But it is important to take your health as a priority and make informed choices to get a better spinal condition. Also, consult with a medical professional to get a comprehensive strategy to manage your condition.
