Cervical Spinal Stenosis Specialist

What is cervical spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a condition that describes a narrowing of the spaces within your spine. Cervical spinal stenosis specifically refers to a narrowing in the cervical spine, or neck.

The narrowing of your spine can be the result of spinal injuries or underlying conditions that affect your spine health, such as:

• Tumors
  
• Bone spurs
  
• Spine fractures
  
• Herniated discs
  
• Thickened ligaments
  

As your spine narrows, it can put pressure on the surrounding nerves or your spinal cord. Persistent pressure on the nerve can lead to permanent damage and a variety of symptoms that affect your mobility and physical health.

What are the symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis?

Symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis can start out as a mild neck pain that worsens with your movements.

Continued pressure on your nerves or spinal cord can lead to symptoms that affect your neck and can radiate down into your arms and hands like:

• Pain
  
• Numbness
  
• Weakness
  
• Tingling sensations
  

Without treatment, chronic nerve compression can result in changes in your bowel and bladder function and disability.

How is cervical spinal stenosis treated?

Your treatment plan for cervical spinal stenosis depends on the severity of your symptoms. Your treatment may include:

Pain relievers and exercise

Initially, you may benefit from pain creams and at-home exercises to relieve tension and pain in your neck. Wearing a neck brace can also stabilize your neck and give your spine time to heal naturally.

Chiropractic care

If home care isn’t enough to relieve your pain, you may need a referral for chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustments can realign the vertebrae in your neck to reduce pressure on your surrounding nerves.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can help you learn stretching techniques and exercises that strengthen the muscles that support your neck to increase your mobility. Physical therapy can also reduce inflammation and limit pressure on your nerves to keep you pain-free.

Minimally invasive surgery

If you have painful bone spurs or a herniated disc in your cervical spine, Dr. Grubb may recommend surgery to remove it. He uses minimally invasive spine surgery techniques that require only small incisions to access your cervical spine structures. Smaller incisions mean less trauma to your body, so you can heal faster and with less scarring.

If you have symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis, don’t delay an evaluation. You can call Northeast Ohio Spine Center or request an appointment online today to learn more about your options for treatment.