Introduction
Your spinal cord is the thickest as it exits the brain and extends through the smallest canal space of the spine's vertebral column in the neck down to the largest canal space of the column in the low back! This seems at odds, but it works…most of the time.
Definition
narrowing of the cervical spinal canal space
Description
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal space. In the cervical spine, the canal space is very tight. The average canal size is 14 mm. In that 14 mm, the spinal cord of 7 mm and soft tissues (ligaments, veins, dura) of 3 mm leave little space for much else. Cervical spine stenosis is measured at 11 mm or less, so it doesn't take a large disc herniation or much disc degeneration to affect stenosis in the neck. * Cox Technic flexion distraction and decompression opens this canal space to alleviate pain.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis Condition Description
Examination
A thorough, clinical examination that may include imaging is important to your recovery and pain-free maintenance of spinal stenosis.
Cervical Spine Exam Description
Treatment
In office, Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation uses Cox Technic Flexion Distraction and Decompression to widen the canal space, drop the intradiscal pressure and increase the disc height to relieve pain.
You will welcome the Cox Technic manipulation that gently "pulls you apart," as many patients describe the treatment or say they need. Depending on the severity of your pain and symptoms, gentler Protocol I may be applied until 50% relief of pain or more restoring Protocol II may be applied to guide your recovery.
Graphic Animation of Cox Technic - Cervical Spine
The disc is pressing on the nerve. Note that as the disc herniation reduces, the pinched nerve is relieved.
This is an animation of the goal of Cox Technic
Flexion-Distraction and Decompression: reduced irritation of spinal elements
enough to relieve pain and help you regain your quality of life. The amount of
decrease in size of the herniated disc necessary for pain relief varies from 0%
to 100% for each individual patient.
Cox Technic Protocol I - for severe pain or pain that extends below the elbow
Cox Technic Protocol II - for pain that is in the low back and stays above the elbow
In office adjunctive care may hasten your recovery.
At Home Care
At home you may want to consider nutritional supplements that help rebuild disc cartilage, exercises that strengthen your neck, sleep on a supportive mattress and pillow, and modify your daily activities as needed.
Clinical Case Reports
Contact Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation for pain relief of your cervical spine stenosis.