Bay County, Fla. -
Neck and back pain can be debilitating, and it often leads to surgery. Physical therapists say there are techniques to help patients alleviate the weakness, pain or numbness associated with neck and back problems, and it doesn't require you to go under the knife.
Fifty-five year old Dennis Arnold had stenosis of his neck.
Bay Medical Center-Sacred Heart Physical Therapist Gail Harris says stenosis means "the spinal cord narrowed, causing pressure on his spinal cord...He had weakness in his arm, numbness in his legs, weakness in his legs as well."
Arnold visited Harris at HealthPlex.
"I didn't want to have surgery. I wanted to give everything a chance before I went to that extreme," explains Arnold.
Harris uses exercise, massage and cervical traction to help patients like Arnold.
She says, "He had a very successful outcome. In six visits, we were able to reverse the problems."
Arnold is now back to exercising, and the best part is that he doesn't have to have surgery.
Arnold has a warning for others, "Don't wait around...the longer you wait, the worse the problem can become."
Harris says you can help protect your back and neck by having good posture and staying active, such as walking on a daily basis.
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