Neck Pain Support Blog

I was Told I have Stenosis and there’s Nothing I can do

Stenosis comes with severe degeneration. In the spine you have one big canal which runs the length of the spine; this is your spinal canal. At each spinal level where the vertebrae meet there forms a hole, or foramen, on each side of the spine. This is where nerve roots exit off of the spinal cord. These nerve roots (or a bundle of nerves) then branch into separate nerves traveling to various parts of the body. For example, in the lower neck they eventually communicate to the hands. So, with hand numbness and tingling you may have nerve entrapment down at the wrist in the carpal tunnel, but you may have nerve pressure higher up in the pathway instead, or both.

Stenosis happens at the spine and it is a closure of one of these holes that the spinal cord or nerves travel through. So, with that hand numbness and tingling example, foraminal stenosis can be entrapping the nerve back at the level of the spine. Also, remember that you have these openings or holes on each side of the spine. This is why someone may experience symptoms only on one side of their body or another.

With spinal stenosis we often get bilateral symptoms because pressure may be on the spinal cord itself thus creating pressure into both sides’ nerve roots. So, stenosis is degeneration which creates closure of one or all of these holes. If that degeneration is in the form of boney growth- bone spurs and arthritic changes, a doctor looking at x-rays may say that there is not much to do but surgery, and the person may not be a surgical candidate.

We do know that when the spine is in proper alignment pressure and inflammation will release. So, using a pillow like our cervical traction pillow may help relieve stenosis pain.

Additional Reading Resources:

• Spinal Stenosis and Neck Arthritis. What is the Connection?
• What’s Worse - Stenosis or a Herniated Disc?
• Pinched Nerve in the Neck
• Choose the Right Neck Pillow
• Acute Neck Pain

Neck Surgery: Your last resort...

Surgery is a last resort option to relieve pain or other symptoms resulting in a lessened state of health. All methods of relief must be exhausted before surgery is performed.

A good surgeon will only perform a surgery if absolutely necessary. Many things may exclude someone from a possible surgery. If someone’s condition is not severe then surgery may not be recommended. The reason is because surgery may only work half of the time. Hence, if someone only has a 50/50 chance of improvement and they pose certain risk factors then they may not be an ideal candidate for surgery.

Some of these risk factors include:

1. Being too young: If surgery is not successful it could mean a life that is severely inhibited, a lifetime of pain or other problems, or in fact the chance someone doesn’t survive the surgery.
2. Having other health conditions: Other health issues can make surgery much more risky.
3. Old age: As we age our healing time is much longer. Our bodies can’t handle as much trauma and stress.
4. Having already had surgery: Past surgery or surgeries leaves scar tissue in that region, not to mention possible hardware, ie: metal, screws, etc …

Ok, let’s say you qualify as a possible surgical candidate. There are a few types of surgery.

1. Discectomy- shave off the part of the disc that is ruptured.
2. Fusion- much more invasive surgery where they fuse 1 level to the next. If there are multiple problem areas, the surgeon may fuse more segments together. There are a few different ways they may do this.
3. Stenosis Surgery- stenosis is when bone and/or disc material is closing off the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) or foramen (foraminal stenosis). Similarly to surgery for bone spurs, they go in and clean out the area.
4. Laser Surgery- Less invasive, and the less invasive the better, but it’s still surgery.

Last, cover all your bases. Ok, you’ve tried absolutely everything, and I mean everything, out there. You still have severe pain that’s inhibiting your everyday life. You get 2 or 3 surgical opinions, and are confident with the outcomes of that.

Now, we need to find out the extent of rehab and medication to follow surgery, and rehab time. And don’t forget the chances that the problem can come back. Keep in mind, if this happens, you are most likely bound for another surgery, however this in turn makes the next surgery more difficult and risky.

Many people jump into a surgery, especially if they are in severe pain and then a surgeon paints a rosy picture. You must do your due diligence and make sure that you are ready, you have covered all your options, and you understand what you may be getting into.

Additional Reading Resources

• I have been told I need neck surgery by my Doctor....
• Neck traction for Neck Pain Relief
• Natural Pain Relief for the Neck that does not Include Surgery
• CLT Pillow Works Well for After Surgery Patients
• Neck Exercises

Photo Source: Peyton Manning undergoes neck surgery

Be Very Careful when Taking OTC Medication for your Neck Pain

Thousands of people every year go to the hospital because of an overdose from over-the-counter (OTC) medicine. So, when you are regularly reaching for that Tylenol to stop the neck pain, keep track of how often you are taking it and how much.

Tylenol has in it what they call acetaminophen, the active ingredient. Acetaminophen is also in non-OTC medications like Vicoden and Percocet. Taking too much can have extremely harmful affects. Similar affects can be seen by constantly taking these drugs.

Patients often present with abdominal pain. In many cases we see liver damage. I often tell people when they take something it’s for short-term symptom relief. Always follow the directions being careful not to take too much, and if pain persists more than a couple of days, you need to try different pain relief methods other than medication.

A pill doesn’t just go right to the sore spot in the neck, but hits the whole body. So, instead of a heat-seeking missile, it’s more like an atomic bomb going off in the body.

Additional Reading Resources

• Meditation More Effective than Pain Medication in Pain Relief
• Treatment for Neck Pain? FDA issues warning about pain killers: Tylenol, Vicoden and Percocet…
• Remedy for A Stiff Neck
• Acute Neck Pain
• Posture Pump 1000 cervical traction and other neck stretchers