Cervical radiculopathy, caused by pressure on the nerves in the neck area, can be painful and debilitating. Pain relief is possible with the correct care and exercises. The goal of exercising your cervical area is to relieve pressure on the nerves and restore mobility and flexibility.
Therapy Ball Exercises
A therapy ball is a large ball you might see people using at gyms or for physical therapy. Performing therapy ball exercises is a simple as sitting on the ball and bouncing for five minutes a day. The bounce should be light enough that you do not come up off the ball. This exercise helps even if your bulge is in the cervical spine. The discs do not receive blood flow, so each disc stores oxygen and nutrients. The only means to provide oxygen and nutrient is from physical actions. Therapy ball exercises provide the oxygen and nutrients required by the discs by physically pumping them into the disc.It works on every disc in the spine, so the it doesn't matter where the problem is in your spine, it will affect it.
Stretching Exercise
Restoring flexibility is important in treating cervical radiculopathy. Tight muscles cause stiffness and lead to pressure on the nerves from muscles and surrounding structures. Stretching exercises increase flexibility and reduces pressure on the nerves. According to Orthopaedic Surgeon, a website run by New Zealand spine surgeon Dr.Greg Finch, your doctor might prescribe cervical traction or other physical therapy like hot or cold packs, electrical muscle stimulation, isometrics and stretching exercises. To perform cervical stretches start with neck flexion. In a sitting position, slowly bend your head toward your chest. Place your hand on the back of your head and gently push forward until you feel a stretch, hold for a few seconds and release. Repeat this three times. Perform this same maneuver with your head bent toward your back and on each side towards your shoulders.
Isometric Exercises
Isometric exercises allow muscle strengthening while limiting joint movement. Resistance provided by exerting force against a relatively stationary object, improves muscle strength without risking nerve irritation from excessive movement. According to the Center for Orthopedic and Sports Excellence, exercises producing motion of the neck can aggravate pain and muscle spasms. Isometric neck exercises strengthen the neck without irritation of the soft tissues or joints of the cervical area. To perform neck isometrics, from the sitting position, bend your head forward and place your hand on the back of your head. Slowly raise your head and apply pressure on the back with your hand. Push with your head against your hand. Hold for a few seconds. Repeat three times. As with neck stretches, repeat the maneuver towards the back and both sides of your head, towards the shoulders.
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