What Activities Should be Avoided with Cervical Spinal Stenosis (2024)

FAQs

What aggravates cervical stenosis? ›

High-impact activities: Activities that involve high-impact, such as jumping, running, or contact sports, should be avoided as they can cause further injury to the spine.

Avoid awkward neck postures

Avoid cradling your neck to your ear during calls, carrying overly heavy weights on your head, or one shoulder bag. These postures exert hyperextension stretches and impinge the nerve which in time paramount the joint stiffness and cervical spinal stenosis.

Just as high-impact exercises can make spinal stenosis symptoms worse, long periods of inactivity can also aggravate spinal stenosis. “High-impact exercise” includes more than contact sports like football or basketball. Any activities that involve running, jumping or climbing can cause damage or increase your pain.

Many cervical spinal stenosis exercises to avoid, such as sitting still, make working and living a normal life hard. Try taking short breaks to either walk around or sit down and give your body a rest.

Flare ups may be caused by muscle spasms, which can be caused by bending or twisting suddenly. They may be caused by an additional problem such as a slipped disc. Some patients may just reach a tipping point where their stenosis becomes symptomatic without any identifiable cause or event.

Spinal stenosis can't be cured but responds to treatment.

"Unfortunately, nothing can stop the progression of spinal stenosis, since it is due to daily wear and tear," said Dr. Hennenhoefer. "The symptoms of spinal stenosis typically respond to conservative treatments, including physical therapy and injections."

More serious symptoms that need prompt attention include: Difficulty or poor balance when walking. Worsening numbness and weakness of your limb. Problems controlling urine or bowel movements.

Can you live with cervical stenosis without surgery? ›

Many people with mild spinal stenosis find that nonsurgical treatments such as pain medication and physical therapy relieve symptoms and help them remain active. NYU Langone spine specialists work with experts in pain management, rehabilitation, and orthotics to create a treatment plan.

Walking is a good exercise for spinal stenosis. It's low impact, and you control the pace and distance. If you're able to walk without symptoms, incorporate this activity into your routine.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain and inflammation. Examples of over-the-counter NSAIDs include aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Analgesics help relieve pain but don't affect inflammation. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a common analgesic used for spinal stenosis.

What is the best sleeping position for neck pain? Two sleeping positions are easiest on the neck: on your side or on your back. If you sleep on your back, choose a rounded pillow to support the natural curve of your neck, with a flatter pillow cushioning your head.

Usually, our spine specialists consider surgery only if symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or pain in the arms or legs indicate severe or progressive nerve or spinal cord compression.

Sit with your head in a neutral position by keeping the ears directly above the shoulders. This better posture reduces neck stress by allowing your head to stay naturally balanced on the cervical spine. Avoid holding your head at a tilt for an extended period of time.

You may be able to get relief from the symptoms of spinal stenosis by taking medicine. Your doctor may suggest physiotherapy and exercises to keep your spine strong and flexible. Some people try steroid shots to reduce swelling.