PT exercises for sciatica with fused neck

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sk84life

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My PT is stumped for exercises to help me now that the raging sciatica has mostly resolved. I have OA at C1-2 and had a ACDF C3-6. I also have significant GERD. Other than cardio and simple spine stablization (pelvic tilts) he is at a loss......Many of the traditional strengthening exercises set off my neck muscles badly no matter how much I try to keep it relaxed.

I can't find on the net anything about how to treat one area of the spine when problems exist at the other level! Now we know that this is NOT an uncommon situation.

Anyone here have a similar situation? Know of any exercises? Thanks.
 
I have had significant cervical spine problems in the last 4 years culminating in a C5-C7 ACDF and then a C5-C7 Posterior Foraminotomy. I had lurabar problems a long time ago but they resurfaced in severe pain in April of 2009.

I did do lurabar PT this summer along with some light cervical stuff as well. Each lurabar exercise they would have me try. At first many caused severe neck pain so we did build up some of them gradually and for others they modified how I did them to support my neck more. The therapist agreed that if it hurt I should stop, but we would see if I could work up to doing the exercise and if that would help. There's one exercise where I was on all fours and had to lift an arm and leg. That one just repeatedly went wrong and was not an option (too much stress on the arm/shoulder/neck of the side that was down while the other was up). But one which is kind of an abdominal curl - at first I could not do even one due to my neck but by the end of the 26 sessions I could do two sets of 5. Normally that would not be considered enough but I think it was success as I seemed to have strengthened my neck a bit.

So there are some I just can not do. But the lurabar pelvic tilts were very helpful along with the recurabent bike and some other modified lurabar exercises.

Now I'm headed to L3-S1 fusion and will start the lurabar recovery thing all over again.
 
Thanks so much! I knew I couldn't be the only one! Could you describe the 'kind of abdominal curl?'

The associated rehab hospital has a new lurabar traction that my PT would like me to try in the future if I continue to have problems.
 
The abdominal curl is a very modified type of sit up. I would start laying down, knees bent, and arms crossed my chest. Then using the abdominal muscles I would lift my neck/shoulder region. Not lifting it as much as a sit up is but enough to get the abdominal core muscles involved.

I did forget to mention that when an abdominal exercise or other exercise for my back would bother my neck I would take a brief break and do slow and minimal neck range of motion exercises (left to right, up to down, side to side tilt) which seem to have the effect of helping my neck muscles calm down. Those are a great help to me now if I find I feel a strain in my neck. It must move the muscles around enough to relieve some muscle tightness. Given my ACDF I don't push any of those neck ROM but do them enough to manipulate the muscles..

The other saving grace has been a good massage therapist! I see her once a month. I don't know how my neck will survive after my back surgery without seeing her. I wish she did home visits. May have to train my hubby on that.
 
Thanks for your description! I don't think I am at the point right now to attempt the modified curl. Just bringing my knees to my chest causing my neck muscles to tighten terrible.

Right now I hurt from my clavicles to the middle of the back of my head. Time for a moist heating pad, then the TENS, and motrin. I've had a couple of rough weeks at work and am having momentary blankness when I have to stress my neck. I think I am kinking my vertebral artery again......or the C1-2 is getting worse.

I'm having a pity party for myself this evening but I do thank you for your response!!
 
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