Spinal cord compression occurs when any structure puts pressure on the cord. The structure can be fragments of spinal bones and they can develop anywhere along the spine, starting from the neck all the way to the lower spine.
The spinal cord sends messages between your brain throughout the body through the nerves present in the cord. Compression in the spinal cord can be painful, and even dangerous.
Symptoms
Symptoms of spinal cord compression depend on where along the cord the area is compressed. It also depends on how severely the spine is compressed.
Common signs that are to be detected are stiffness and pain in the back or neck. Arms, hands, and legs can feel weak, and there is trouble in movement.
There are severe pain and weakness feelings in the legs, which make it difficult for the person to walk. While standing, the legs are shaky, and pain is felt throughout the legs.
There can also be a loss of bowel and bladder control.
Numbness throughout the body or perhaps often only through the legs, inner thighs, and back, is also felt. This elucidates the impression that the spine is being compressed in a specific area.
In other words, this condition affects the person the most when it comes to motor skills and coordination.
Causes
There are numerous causes of spinal cord compression. In some cases, spinal cord compression comes suddenly. In other cases, it comes over some time to affects the patient.
If a person already has arthritis, they have a higher chance to get a compressed spine, compared to someone who doesn’t have this bone problem.
Other degenerative diseases also give an invitation to this condition. Another cause of this condition may be due to a ruptured or herniated disc along the spine.
Any injury or received trauma that causes swelling around the spinal cord can also result in compression. Bleeding from the injury or from any other disorder joined with chiropractic manipulation can form blood clots in the area, making compression in the spinal cord.
Another reason for spinal cord compression is the narrowing down of the spinal canal through which the spinal cord passes, are bone spurs in the spinal cord. The narrowing of the canal is often referred to as spinal stenosis.
How to Treat & Prevent Spinal Compression
One of the best ways to avoid compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves, and to treat conditions such as sciatica, neck pain, shoulder pain or lower back pain is to do specific exercises that focus on reversing the process of compression on the spinal column, vertebrae, cord, and nerve roots. These are called spinal decompression exercises.
Spinal decompression exercises can easily be done from the comfort of your own home with the help of a special device, called the Backrack.
Backrack Spinal Decompression Device
Other Exercises to Manage Spinal Compression
Other exercises that may be beneficial in preventing compression of the spine are strengthening exercises that work on your core, back, neck, and abdomen in particular.
Strong muscles in these areas provide enhanced support for the back, decreasing the stress that is placed upon it.
By strengthening the neck and making it more flexible by means of simple exercises, you will be able to better avoid spinal cord compression. It can reduce your pain and serve as a primary exercise treatment to prevent the condition.
Try doing aerobic exercises as well, which help in relieving stress in the lumbar spine. Aerobic exercises also help release endorphins, which serve as a natural pain-relieving process for the body.
Exercises like the stationary bike help maintain an ideal posture for this condition. The spine is bent forward slightly, which opens up the spinal canal, reducing the compression of the spine. Walking and swimming serve similar purposes for this condition.
