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Do you often feel neck pain and numbness in your arms? This might be cervical stenosis, a condition that causes narrowing of the spinal canal. It can affect your everyday life. But don’t worry. In this blog, we will discuss what cervical stenosis is, its causes and symptoms, and how chiropractic care in Singapore can offer help. So let’s begin, shall we?
What is Cervical Stenosis?
Cervical stenosis is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal in the cervical region.
Your spine consists of 33 vertebrae, which are the small bones assembled on top of one another. When these vertebrae align, they form a bony space known as the spinal canal.
Your spinal canal extends down from the base of the skull to the pelvic region. It is a long, hollow structure that houses and protects the spinal cord and nerve roots, which carry the signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
Cervical spine stenosis occurs when the spinal canal in the cervical region (neck) narrows, which reduces the space available for the spinal cord and nerve roots. This narrowing can compress the nerve roots and the spinal cord, affecting communication between your brain and body.
Cervical stenosis is common among people over the age of 50. Its prevalence is less common as compared to lumbar stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back area). But it is more serious, as it can directly compress the spinal cord.
Types of Cervical Stenosis
Experts classify cervical stenosis into two types based on the location of the narrowing. These include:
Central Canal Stenosis
It is the most common type where the central spinal canal becomes narrowed. This narrowing compresses or deforms the spinal cord itself, thus leading to serious neurological consequences.
Foraminal (Lateral) Stenosis
It occurs when the bony openings at the side of the vertebrae through which spinal nerves exit narrow down. This compresses the nerve roots, causing pain and numbness along the nerve’s path. It can occur at one or multiple sites in the cervical spine.
What Causes Cervical Spine Stenosis?
Spinal canal narrowing can occur due to various factors. Some of the most common causes of cervical stenosis include:
1. Age-Related Degenerative Changes
As we age, natural wear and tear occurs, which affects the shape and size of the spinal canal. These degenerative changes include:
Herniated discs
The discs between the vertebrae act as a cushion. Over time, these discs tend to lose water content and elasticity. This causes the inner gel-like core to bulge outward towards the spinal canal, thus compressing the spinal cord.
Formation of Bone Spurs
Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are extra bony growths that develop along the edges of vertebrae. These bone spurs can protrude into the spinal canal, thus reducing the available space and pinching the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Thickening of the Ligaments
Ligaments that support the spine, such as ligamentum flavum, can get stiff and become hardened with age. This contributes to the stenosis of the cervical spine.
Degeneration of Facet joints
Facet joints are small joints located at the back of each vertebra in your spine. They hold the vertebrae together and help stabilize the spine. Over time, these joints gradually wear down and cause the central canal and the openings where spinal nerves exit to narrow.
2. Spine Injuries and Trauma
Injuries, such as fractures or trauma to the neck, can cause swelling, bone displacement and scar formation that narrows the spinal canal, thus contributing to stenosis of the cervical spine.
Cervical Stenosis Risk Factors
The following factors can increase your risk of developing cervical spine stenosis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Tumors growing near the cervical region
- Age
- Previous neck injuries
- Jobs or activities that involve repetitive neck strain
Cervical Stenosis Symptoms
Not all people with cervical spinal stenosis develop symptoms. Studies show that a significant number of people have cervical spinal canal narrowing visible on MRI without any symptoms.
Some people only have mild symptoms even in the presence of stenosis. This is because our spinal cord can accommodate to some extent. However, when people with pre-existing cervical stenosis experience trauma, such as a car accident, they may develop severe symptoms.
When the spinal nerves in the cervical region are compressed, radiculopathy may occur. It may cause the following symptoms:
- Neck pain that may radiate to the arm, shoulder, or hand
- Numbness and tingling in your arms, hands, or fingers
- Muscle weakness
- Weakened Reflexes
Cervical myelopathy occurs due to the compression of the spinal cord. This is more serious and can affect both the arms and legs as the spinal cord carries the signal to and from the different parts of the body below the neck. Its symptoms may include:
- Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as writing or buttoning shirts
- Balance and coordination problems, such as unsteady gait
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction
- Numbness or tingling in the arms and legs
Cervical Stenosis Diagnosis
Your healthcare provider is likely to use a combination of medical history, physical examination and imaging tests to diagnose cervical stenosis. He might ask about a detailed history of your symptoms, such as:
- When do your symptoms occur?
- How often do your symptoms occur?
- Do the neck movements cause pain and stiffness
- Have you had any recent injuries?
So, be prepared and keep track of your symptoms in a diary if possible. For physical examination, he is likely to assess
- Range of motion in the neck
- Gait abnormalities
- Fine motor skills
- Reflexes
- Muscle strength and weakness in your legs
You might also be required to get your blood tests. This will help your doctor rule out infection or any inflammatory conditions that might contribute to the symptoms. Further, he is likely to order the following imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis of cervical spine stenosis.
- X-rays
- CT scans
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Cervical Stenosis Treatment
Your healthcare provider will choose the treatment based on the severity of your condition and symptoms. He might recommend the following treatment options.
1. Medications
Your doctor might prescribe medications for symptomatic relief. These include:
- Pain Reliever: Over-the-counter medicines, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can help decrease pain and inflammation. Your doctor might also prescribe gabapentin or pregabalin for nerve pain.
- Muscle Relaxants: Drugs like cyclobenzaprine can ease muscle spasms associated with cervical stenosis.
- Steroid Injections: Corticosteroid injections around the affected nerve can suppress inflammation and provide temporary relief.
2. Physical Therapy
Your physical therapist will design exercises to strengthen your neck and shoulder muscles. This will improve your posture and enhance flexibility, thus providing relief from the symptoms.
3. Lifestyle Adjustments
Avoiding activities that involve heavy lifting or repetitive neck movements might prevent symptoms. Furthermore, wearing a cervical collar or neck brace can temporarily help limit motion and reduce discomfort.
4. Surgery
Surgery is usually considered when other treatment methods do not provide relief or when there is significant spinal cord compression. It aims to decompress the spinal cord and nerve roots and prevent further damage.
Some common surgical procedures include:
- Cervical laminoplasty
- Posterior cervical decompression and fusion
- Cervical arthroplasty
- Disc Replacement
How Chiropractic Care Can Help People With Cervical Stenosis In Singapore?
Chiropractic care can be an effective approach for people with cervical stenosis. It is focused on the optimization of the musculoskeletal system and spine alignment.
Chiropractors locate areas of misalignment within the spine and perform spinal manipulations to correct its alignment. By restoring alignment of the spine, they relieve pressure on the nerves caused by narrowing of the spinal canal. This, in turn, reduces nerve irritation and improves neck function. Further, chiropractic care can also reduce muscle stiffness and inflammation around the affected area. This helps reduce pain and improve mobility.
In addition to chiropractic adjustments, chiropractors also incorporate exercises to strengthen your neck and shoulder muscles to support your spine. They also work on improving your posture, which reduces abnormal forces on the cervical spine and prevents further symptoms.
At Vitality Chiropractic Centre in Singapore, our experts specialize in Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care. Our clinic is the first of its kind in Singapore, focusing on the upper cervical region to address a variety of health issues. We believe that proper spinal alignment is the key to a person’s health and well-being. Our team provides personalized care plans tailored to your individual needs. So what are you waiting for? Contact us right now to improve your spine health!
References
- Farahbakhsh, F., Khosravi, S., Baigi, V., Koltapeh, M. P., Khayyamfar, A., Eskandari, Z., Ghodsi, Z., Harrop, J., & Rahimi-Movaghar, V. (2023). The prevalence of asymptomatic cervical spinal cord compression in individuals presenting with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis: A Meta-Analysis. Global Spine Journal, 14(3), 1052–1060. https://doi.org/10.1177/21925682231202776 Redirecting. (n.d.).
- Raja A, Patel P, Mesfin FB. 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/
Call 8438 9550 or email help@vitalitychiropracticcentres.com today!
Meet Our Chiropractor Specializing in Cervical Stenosis Care in Singapore
Dr Shaan (Traditional and Complimentary Therapy Qualification) is a Chiropractor from London (UK) who graduated from the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (UK) as a Doctor of Chiropractic (not medical doctor or dentist). He has completed post-graduate studies and has been serving patients in Singapore since 2015.
He founded Vitality Chiropractic Centres to open the first Upper Cervical clinic in Singapore, and the only practicing Knee Chest Upper Cervical Technique in South East Asia.
He is the Alliance of Chiropractic (AoC) Chairman for Outreach, organising events within Singapore with the People’s Association and other charities. Shaan has served thousands of patients, with experience in patients with headaches, migraines, vertigo, Meniere’s, trigeminal neuralgia, whiplash, IBS and other chronic nervous system problems.
Dr Jessey (黄钰心矫正师) (Traditional and Complimentary Therapy Qualification) is a Chiropractor from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), graduated from Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (UK) as a Doctor of Chiropractic (not medical doctor or dentist). She has experience serving patients from 2 weeks old to 96 years old prior to moving to Singapore and joining Vitality Chiropractic (活力脊椎矫正中心).
She has completed post-graduate studies and is Singapore’s first female Upper Cervical Chiropractor (上颈椎矫正护理).
Jessey is active in outreach, participating in charitable trips to Cambodia and within Singapore. Jessey has experience helping patients with headaches, migraines, dizziness (眩晕/头晕), Meniere’s (美尼尔氏综合症), slipped disc, anxiety, fibrillations, IBS and other chronic nerve system problems. She also has a special interest in children and younger patients.
If you’ve been struggling with Cervical Stenosis, call 8438 9550, email help@vitalitychiropracticcentres.com or fill in your information below to book your appointment.
Chiropractic Care for Cervical Stenosis – Treatment Rates in Singapore
Here are the expected rates for Cervical Stenosis care services at Vitality Chiropractic centres.
Discovery Call
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Jump on a call to discuss your concerns and determine if we are the right fit for you.
Consultation
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During the initial consultation, we will run a physical examination, postural assessment, and nerve system test.
Test Results
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Our chiropractor will explain the findings and test results from the consultation. A customised care plan will then be developed for you.
Single Session
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We will perform a nerve scan and adjustment as needed. Re-examinations and rehab exercises might be implemented.
Written by
Shaan Rai (Chiropractor, Singapore)
Shaan is a British Chiropractor, based in Singapore. He is an Alliance of Chiropractic (AOC) registered Singapore Chiropractor, completing a 5 year course at AECC (UK), attaining his Masters in Chiropractic. He is the Vice President and Chairman for Outreach & Charity for Alliance of Chiropractic (AOC) and is the founder of Vitality Chiropractic Singapore. He developed the NeuroPro method, combining Upper Cervical techniques with Functional Neurology Rehab, with published research coming in 2025.
Dizziness Research in Singapore
Read our case report about our patient with dizziness and hearing loss, and the improvements seen with our care. This was produced by the Australian Spinal Research Foundation, and published in the Asia-Pacific Chiropractic Journal.
Read Our Book
Shaan authored the book, ‘Dealing With Dizziness – Holistic Solutions For Unexplained Chronic Dizziness, Vertigo, and Balance Problems’.
You can find it on Amazon, or available in our Singapore Chiropractic clinic.
FAQS
Chiropractors are trained doctors of Chiropractic. They train exclusively as doctors of Chiropractic, not as medical doctors or dentists.
This is the same as how a Dentist, TCM or PhD graduate are trained as doctors in their field, but are also not medical doctors.
If you have any previous scans, x-rays, MRI’s or other imaging, please bring them to your appointment. We would also recommend bringing a family member or friend if you need support or to discuss finances.
Your initial Consultation will take approximately 1 hour, your Results will take approximately 45 minutes and follow up Appointments will take 20-35 minutes depending on your case.
After Chiropractic adjustments there can occasionally be side effects. The most common feelings after corrections (especially in the beginning) are:
- No changes yet
- Some stiffness in the muscles or light soreness
- Feeling relief
If there are any other symptoms or sensations experienced, please ensure to consult with your Chiropractor.
Absolutely! If you book using our online system you should get an email immediately then a WhatsApp confirmation from our staff.
For follow up appointments you should receive an email 48 hours before your appointment. If you do not, and you would like reminders, please let us know and we will be able to help. If you receive reminders but do not want to, you can also opt out of these emeails.
On any day you receive an adjustment we would advise taking it easy and drinking plenty of water. Give it at least 2 hours before exercising. If you feel tired then listen to your body and get to sleep early. Upon starting care, we will share a guide for you to take home, with a long list of do’s and don’ts, so you can take an active part in your care.
We recommend wearing something comfortable that you can bend in. While you don’t need to wear gym clothes, clothes which you can move in freely will be helpful for any tests or techniques the doctor will need to perform. For women, if you are wearing a dress or skirt we will provide blankets to cover you.
Chiropractic, and any health approach, will not be the answer for every patient and every health concern. Other Chiropractors may use different techniques and methods which may not produce the same results as Upper Cervical Chiropractic.
Our Chiropractors conduct a thorough history, physical assessment, nerve scans and biomechanical x-rays to determine if this is a case they can help.
If we are not the right fit for you, we will do our best to find the right practitioner for you.
Need Help Managing Cervical Stenosis?
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Our Singapore Chiropractic Team for Cervical Stenosis can help.