Author: Mr Oliver Eaton BSc (Hons), PG.Cert – Orthopaedic Specialist
Reviewed by: Mr William Sharples BSc (Hons) – Pain Management Expert
Last Updated: September 2025
In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about cervical stenosis and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called prolotherapy.
Table of Contents
- Cervical Stenosis: An Overview
- Causes and Risk Factors
- Symptoms and Progression
- Diagnosing Cervical Stenosis
- Nonsurgical Treatment Options
- Prolotherapy
- Surgical Treatment Options
- Prevention and Management Strategies
- Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact ProHealth Clinic
- Author Bio
- References
Cervical Stenosis: An Overview
Cervical stenosis is a condition where the spinal canal in your neck narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. This can cause pain, numbness, weakness, and loss of coordination. As the condition progresses, symptoms may worsen, affecting fine motor skills, balance, and mobility. Treatment options range from physical therapy and medications to surgery, depending on severity. Learn more about foraminal stenosis for related nerve compression conditions.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Age-related degeneration (most common after age 50)
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Thickened ligaments
- Spinal fractures
- Cysts or tumors
- Bone spurs
- Inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
- Spinal dysraphism
Some people are born with a narrow spinal canal (congenital stenosis). Risk increases with age, previous spinal injuries, and certain genetic factors.
Symptoms and Progression
Symptoms include neck pain, numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet, weakness, difficulty with fine motor skills, and in some cases, foot drop. Pain may be dull or sharp, and symptoms often worsen with standing or walking and improve with sitting or bending forward. Early recognition is key to effective management.
Diagnosing Cervical Stenosis
Diagnosis involves reviewing your medical history, a physical exam, and imaging tests to determine the extent and location of spinal narrowing.
Imaging Techniques
MRI is the gold standard for diagnosing cervical stenosis, providing detailed images of the spinal cord and nerves. CT scans are useful for assessing bone structures and post-surgical changes. CT myelogram is an alternative for patients who cannot have an MRI.
Differential Diagnosis
It’s important to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as cauda equina syndrome, diabetes, inflammatory spondyloarthropathy, Paget’s disease, peripheral neuropathy, vascular disease, spinal tumors, and disc diseases. Accurate diagnosis ensures the right treatment plan.
Nonsurgical Treatment Options
- Physical therapy: Improves flexibility, strength, and function. Programs typically last 3 months and include stretching, strengthening, and manual therapy.
- Medications: NSAIDs (aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen) reduce pain and inflammation. Acetaminophen is an alternative for pain. Opioids may be used short-term for severe pain, but require close supervision.
- Epidural steroid injections: Deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected area, reducing pain and nerve irritation.
If initial therapies do not manage symptoms effectively, other treatments may be considered.
Prolotherapy
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat cervical stenosis.
Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and regenerative benefits.
Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen cells, the small cells needed to repair the damage and help cervical stenosis.
As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of cervical stenosis, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Prolotherapy may not be suitable for everyone, and outcomes can vary. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific medical condition or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you have read here.
Surgical Treatment Options
Surgery is considered when symptoms are severe or do not respond to nonsurgical treatments. Options include:
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
- Cervical disc replacement
- Posterior cervical laminoplasty
- Minimally invasive surgery
Minimally invasive techniques offer smaller incisions, less blood loss, and faster recovery. Spinal fusion stabilizes the spine but carries risks such as graft rejection, infection, nerve injury, and adjacent segment degeneration.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Smaller incisions and less tissue damage
- Reduced pain and faster recovery
- Lower risk of infection and complications
- Advanced technology (endoscopy, navigation systems) improves precision
Spinal Fusion
- Stops motion between vertebrae to relieve nerve compression
- Uses bone grafts (from the patient or a donor)
- Risks: graft rejection, infection, nerve damage, degeneration of nearby segments
Prevention and Management Strategies
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce spinal stress
- Engage in regular exercise to strengthen back and neck muscles
- Practice gentle stretching to maintain flexibility and reduce stiffness
- Use proper posture and ergonomics at work and home
- Maintain an active lifestyle to support overall health and mobility
These strategies not only help manage symptoms but can also prevent issues in the lumbar spine, such as lumbar stenosis, by supporting overall health and spinal function.
Posture and Ergonomics
Keep your head aligned with your shoulders and hips, and use ergonomic chairs and workstations. Avoid slouching and use proper lifting techniques to reduce spinal strain.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Core strengthening, yoga, and neck-specific exercises (like chin tucks) help maintain posture and spinal health. Median nerve glides and pec stretches can relieve neck and shoulder tension.
Summary
Cervical stenosis is a progressive spine condition that can cause pain, numbness, and weakness. Early diagnosis, a combination of nonsurgical and surgical treatments, and lifestyle changes are key to managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Prolotherapy offers a regenerative, non-surgical option for long-term relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of cervical stenosis?
Neck pain, weakness, numbness in the limbs, balance problems, and sometimes bladder or bowel issues.
How do you fix cervical stenosis?
Nonsurgical options include physical therapy, medications, and steroid injections. Surgery may be needed for severe cases.
Is cervical stenosis a disability?
Yes, it can be considered a disability if it significantly limits your ability to work or perform daily activities.
What is cervical stenosis?
Narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck, causing pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness.
What are the symptoms of cervical stenosis?
Neck pain, numbness or tingling in the limbs, weakness, poor coordination, and balance problems.
Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call
Don’t let cervical stenosis control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.
Get in Touch
- Phone: +44 1234 380345
- Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk
Our Clinic Locations
- London: 104 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JD
- Manchester: The Hadley Clinic, 64 Bridge Street, M3 3BN
- Bedford: The Village Medical Centre, Kingswood Way, MK40 4GH
All clinics offer the same award-winning prolotherapy treatment with convenient appointment times, including evenings and weekends.
Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Oliver Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating cervical stenosis, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with cervical stenosis and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
Mr Eaton’s expertise has been featured in many national news and media publications, including The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Daily Express, Women’s Health Magazine, and The Scotsman.
Connect with Oliver Eaton on LinkedIn
References
- Fehlings MG, Tetreault LA, Riew KD, et al. A Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Patients With Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy. Global Spine J. 2017;7(3_suppl):21S-27S. View Study
- Genevay S, Atlas SJ. Lumbar spinal stenosis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2010;24(2):253-265. View Study
- Rabago D, Slattengren A, Zgierska A. Prolotherapy in Primary Care Practice. Prim Care. 2010;37(1):65-80. View Study
- Smith JS, Anderson R, et al. Surgical techniques for cervical stenosis. J Neurosurg Spine. 2011;14(2):184-192. View Study
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Spinal stenosis: assessment and management. View Guideline
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.