Cervical Fusion

Physical Therapy

by the Brain and Spine Neurosurgical Institute

 

Here are a few simple exercises that might help you after a cervical fusion operation. Please note that each person is an individual and has their own medical problems, therefore you might experience different types of pains that others may not feel. This should be a caution to you not to continue and you can always consult us at any time. We are going to discuss three exercises that will help you to recover after your cervical fusion procedure. 

Chin Tucks

The first physical therapy exercise for cervical fusion are chin tucks. Make sure to do this exercise gently. Do not force your head into a painful position. 

  1. Rotate your arms outwards with your palms facing down and fingers pointing backward. In this position, you should feel your shoulder blades pinched together.

  2. Tuck your chin back towards your neck. Your chin should stay level and your head should only move a half an inch

  3. Hold this position for five second

  4. Relax your neck. Do not let your head extend excessively forward. 

  5. Repeat steps 2-4 five times

Trunk Rotations

Our second exercise for recovery is trunk rotations. This exercise involves moving your arms in opposite directions while you twist your trunk. 

  1. Start with your head and shoulders back in an upright position.

  2. Rotate your trunk to the left while moving your left arm behind your body and your right arm forward across your body

  3. Your head should stay aligned with your trunk

  4. Keep an upright posture and breath slowly and deeply as you move side to side at a steady pace

  5. Repeat 10 to 15 times

Arm Extensions

Our last physical therapy exercise for cervical fusion is arm extensions. The purpose of this exercise is to help loosen the muscles around your shoulder blades. 

  1. Begin by standing up straight with your hands by your sides and your thumbs facing forward

  2. Bring your arms up at to the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions

  3. Keep your head and shoulders back during this exercise. Breath slowly and deeply in through your nose and out through your mouth

  4. Reach toward the ceiling as much as you can

  5. Lower your arms and bring your shoulder blades back as far as you can go

  6. Repeat this exercise 10 times

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