Non-surgical Rehabilitation
Unless the nerve problem is getting worse rapidly, therapy usually begins with nonsurgical treatments. At One Wellness, Cervical Radiculopathy patients are normally seen a few times each week for one to two months. In severe cases, patients may need a few additional weeks of care. Our therapist will create a program to help you regain neck and arm function.
At first, treatments are used to ease pain and inflammation and may include immobilization devices and electrical stimulation treatments to help calm muscle spasm and control pain.
When you begin physiotherapy at One Wellness, we may prescribe immobilization of the neck. Keeping the neck still for a short time can calm inflammation and pain. This might include one to two days of bed rest and the use of a . This collar is a padded ring that wraps around the neck and is held in place by a Velcro strap. Normally, a patient need only wear a collar for one to two weeks. Wearing it longer tends to weaken the neck muscles.
Treatments for cervical radiculopathy often include neck traction. Traction is a way to gently stretch the joints and muscles of the neck. It can be done using a machine with a , or the physiotherapist can apply the traction pull by hand. Though neck traction is often done in our clinic, we may give you a traction device to use at home.
It is very important to improve the strength and coordination in the neck and shoulder blade muscles. Our therapist can also evaluate your workstation or the way you use your body when you do your activities and suggest changes to avoid further problems.
At One Wellness, we usually have their patients try nonoperative treatments for at least three months before considering surgery. But when patients simply aren't getting better, or if the problem is becoming more severe, we may refer you to a surgeon for evaluation.
Post-surgical Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation after surgery for cervical radiculopathy can be a slow process. Although recovery time is different for each individual, you may need to attend physiotherapy sessions at One Wellness for six to eight weeks, and you should expect full recovery to take up to four months.
During physiotherapy after surgery, our physiotherapist may use treatments such as heat or ice, electrical stimulation, massage, and ultrasound to help calm pain and muscle spasm. Then we will begin to teach you how to move safely with the least strain on your healing neck.
As your One Wellness rehabilitation program evolves, you will do more challenging exercises. The goal is to safely advance your strength and function. As your physiotherapy sessions come to an end, our therapist will help you with decisions about getting you back to work. We can do a work assessment to make sure you'll be able to do your job safely. Our physiotherapist may suggest changes that could help you work safely, with less chance of reinjuring your neck.
When your treatment is well under way, your regular visits to One Wellness will end. We will continue to be a resource for you but you will be in charge of doing your exercises as part of an ongoing home program.
One Wellness provides physiotherapy in Canmore.
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