Understanding Cervical Spinal Stenosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Are you feeling pain, numbness, or weakness in your neck, shoulders, arms, or hands? These could be signs of cervical spinal stenosis, a condition where the spinal canal in the neck narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.
This narrowing can lead to a variety of symptoms, including discomfort, tingling, and weakness. Studies show that spinal stenosis affects about 1 in 11,000 adults over 50 in the U.S., making it a relatively common condition that still carries significant health implications. Understanding the causes and treatments for this condition is the first step in finding relief and improving your quality of life.
What is Cervical Spinal Stenosis?
Cervical spinal stenosis is a condition where the spinal canal in the neck narrows, potentially compressing the spinal cord and nerve roots. This narrowing can occur in the cervical spine’s bony openings (foramina), reducing space for nerves and/or the spinal cord.
Cervical Spine Stenosis
In the cervical spine, narrowing can cause different symptoms based on whether the spinal cord or nerve roots are compressed:
- Nerve Root Compression: This can lead to pain, tingling, or weakness in specific areas. For example:
- C5-6 Disc Herniation: Results in weakness in forearm flexion and numbness in the thumb and radial forearm.
- C6-7 Disc Herniation: Commonly causes wrist drop and tingling in the index and middle fingers.
- C7-T1 Disc Herniation: This leads to weakness in hand muscles and numbness in the ring and pinky fingers.
- C4-5 Disc Herniation: Can cause weakness in the deltoid and numbness in the shoulder.
- Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: When spinal narrowing exceeds 30%, it can compress the spinal cord, causing clumsiness in the hands, difficulty walking, leg weakness, and balance problems (ataxia).
Symptoms of Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Common symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
- Weakness in the arms and legs
- Balance and coordination problems
- In severe cases, bladder and bowel dysfunction
Cervical Spinal Stenosis Vs Spinal Stenosis
While both cervical spinal stenosis and spinal stenosis involve the narrowing of spaces in the spine, they affect different areas, leading to distinct symptoms.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a broad term describing the narrowing of spaces within the spine, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This condition can occur anywhere along the spine, from the neck down to the lower back.
When spinal stenosis affects areas other than the neck, such as the lower back (lumbar stenosis), it may cause:
- Leg pain or cramping, especially when standing or walking
- Numbness or weakness in the legs and feet
- Back pain
Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Cervical spinal stenosis specifically refers to narrowing in the neck (cervical) region of the spine. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots in the neck area, leading to a unique set of symptoms, including:
- Neck pain
- Numbness or weakness in the arms, hands, or legs
- Difficulty with walking and balance
- In severe cases, problems with bowel and bladder control
The key difference lies in where the narrowing occurs and how that affects the body.
What Causes Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Cervical spinal stenosis happens when the spaces in the spine narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This may cause pain, numbness, weakness, and a number of other symptoms. The condition can be caused by various factors, such as congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developing over time).
Congenital Causes
Some people are born with a narrower spinal canal, making them more likely to develop spinal stenosis later in life. This is less common, accounting for only about 9% of cases.
- Achondroplasia: A genetic condition that affects bone growth, leading to shorter bones and a smaller spinal canal.
- Shortened Pedicles: The bony structures forming the spinal canal’s sides may be shorter than usual, reducing space for the spinal cord and nerves.
- Osteopetrosis: A condition where bones become overly dense and thick, which can narrow the spinal canal.
- Apical Vertebral Wedging: A spinal deformity that can cause uneven pressure on the vertebrae, contributing to stenosis.
- Spinal Dysraphism: A group of congenital disabilities affecting spinal cord development, which may lead to the narrowing of the spinal canal.
- Early Vertebral Arch Ossification: When the vertebrae harden too early in development, it can lead to structural issues and narrowing.
- Morquio Syndrome: A rare genetic disorder that affects bone and cartilage growth, potentially leading to spinal stenosis.
- Osseous Exostosis: Abnormal bone growths that can encroach on the spinal canal.
Acquired Causes
Most cases of cervical spinal stenosis result from changes that develop over time due to aging, injury, or medical procedures.
- Post-Surgical Changes: Some spine surgeries, such as laminectomies, fusions, or discectomies, can alter spinal structure and unintentionally lead to stenosis.
Degenerative Changes
- Herniated Discs: When the soft material inside the spinal disc bulges or leaks, it can press on the spinal cord and nerves.
- Ligament Thickening: Over time, the ligaments in the spine can become thicker and stiffer, taking up space in the spinal canal.
- Facet Joint Hypertrophy: The joints that connect the vertebrae can enlarge, reducing space for the spinal cord and nerves.
- Spondylolisthesis: One vertebra slips forward over another, narrowing the spinal canal and putting pressure on nerves.
- Trauma: Injuries from accidents or falls can lead to fractures, swelling, or misalignment of the spine, causing stenosis.
Systemic Conditions
Some diseases affect bone growth and structure, contributing to spinal narrowing. Examples include:
- Arthritis: Inflammation can cause bone overgrowth and thickened ligaments, reducing space in the spinal canal.
- Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear on joints can lead to bone spurs that press on nerves.
- Paget’s Disease: A condition where bones grow abnormally, sometimes causing them to become thick and deformed, leading to spinal narrowing.
Cervical spinal stenosis often results from a combination of these factors, especially as people age. While some causes, like congenital conditions, are unavoidable, managing lifestyle factors and seeking early treatment for degenerative changes can help slow the progression of stenosis.
Possible Complications of Spinal Stenosis
If spinal stenosis progresses, it can lead to serious complications:
- Myelopathic Syndrome: Compression of the spinal cord can lead to myelopathy, causing symptoms like weakness, numbness, or difficulty walking.
- Cauda Equina Syndrome: Compression at the lower end of the spinal cord can result in cauda equina syndrome, which affects the nerves controlling bowel and bladder function.
Treatment for Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Traditional Medicine
Cervical spinal stenosis treatment typically begins with conservative approaches before considering surgery. Traditional treatments include pain medications, steroid injections, and neck immobilization. In cases of severe spinal cord compression or progressive muscle weakness, decompression surgery may be necessary.
Non-Invasive Treatment Options for Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Prestige Health and Wellness offers a comprehensive approach to treating cervical spinal stenosis, focusing on non-invasive and holistic methods. Our treatment options include:
- Chiropractic Care: Gentle spinal adjustments to realign vertebrae, reduce nerve pressure, and enhance spinal mobility.
- Physical Therapy: Customized exercise programs to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles, improve posture, and increase flexibility.
- Massage Therapy: Targeted techniques to alleviate muscle tension, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain.
- Acupuncture relieves nerve pain, reduces inflammation, and improves circulation.
- Cold Laser Therapy: Light therapy reduces inflammation, relieves pain, and promotes tissue healing in affected spinal areas.
- Flexion-Distraction Therapy: A non-invasive decompression technique that gently stretches the spine to create space between vertebrae.
- Joint Mobilization: Techniques to improve mobility and flexibility in affected areas of the spine.
- Postural Correction: Exercises designed to improve spinal alignment and reduce pressure on nerves.
Self-Care and Prevention Tips
Individuals can adopt the following self-care tips to manage their symptoms alongside professional treatment effectively:
- Maintain proper posture when sitting, standing, and sleeping to reduce strain on the neck.
- Perform neck and shoulder exercises to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility.
- Avoid activities that put excessive strain on the neck, such as heavy lifting or repetitive motions.
- Use ergonomic workstations and supportive pillows to minimize neck strain during daily activities and sleeping.
Find Relief from Cervical Spinal Stenosis Today
Don’t let cervical spinal stenosis hold you back any longer. Schedule an appointment with us today and start your journey toward relief and improved mobility. Our team at Prestige Health & Wellness is dedicated to helping you manage symptoms and regain control of your life.
Visit us at one of our convenient Manhattan locations: Financial District, Hudson Yards, Chelsea, or Nomad. Call us today at (917) 694-1565 or book your appointment online to take the first step toward pain relief and increased mobility.
Sources
Meyer, F., Börm, W., & Thomé, C. (2008). Degenerative cervical spinal stenosis: current strategies in diagnosis and treatment. Deutsches Arzteblatt international, 105(20), 366–372. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2008.0366
Parenteau, C. S., Lau, E. C., Campbell, I. C., & Courtney, A. (2021). Prevalence of spine degeneration diagnosis by type, age, gender, and obesity using Medicare data. Scientific reports, 11(1), 5389. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-84724-6
Raja A, Hoang S, Patel P, et al. Spinal Stenosis. [Updated 2023 Jun 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441989/