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 Cervical Laminectomy or Discectomy

Physical Therapy

by the Brain and Spine Neurosurgical Institute

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Here are a few simple exercises that might help you after a cervical laminectomy or discectomy 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 four exercises that will help you to recover after your procedure. 

The first exercise is diaphragmatic breathing. This is particularly important because the concept applies to all other exercises and functional activities when sitting and standing. It is very important to maintain an erect posture and to breathe properly. 

1. Breathe in through your nose and place your hands on the outer and posterior aspects of your lower ribs. You should feel your outer ribs expand with no forward movement of your abdomen 

2. Breathe out through your nose and pursed lips. You should feel your lower ribs move upward and inward. 

3. Try to practice this form of breathing throughout the day whenever you think of it. If you find it difficult to do in a sitting or standing position, you can try lying on your back with your knees bent.

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

The next physical therapy exercise is head tilts. 

1. Pinch your shoulder blades together. Keep your palms down and your fingers pointing backwards

2. Tilt your head to the unaffected side until you feel a stretch on the affected side of your neck

3. Make sure to continue looking straight ahead and bring your ear toward the tip of your shoulder

4. Hold this stretch for five seconds

5. Repeat three times
   

For the last exercise, we’ll focus on head turns. Begin this exercise standing up straight with an erect posture.

1. Turn your head away from the affected side. Stop when you feel a stretch on the affected side of your neck

2. Hold stretch for five seconds

3. Repeat three times

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