Spinal stenosis is a condition that many adults face as they get older. Many people suffering from spinal stenosis allow it to control their lives. However, with treatment you can reduce and possibly eliminate the pain associated with this condition. You can still lead a fulfilling life with regular non-invasive treatment.
The experts and Epic Healthcare & Physical Medicine help people suffering from spinal stenosis every day. Our methods allow us to effectively treat back pain caused by spinal stenosis and other conditions. This helps many people take back control of their lives without the risk of surgery or expensive medications. We want to help you live life to the fullest.
Learning about Spinal Stenosis
As we age, our bodies naturally wear down. Unfortunately, this wear and tear greatly affects our backs. Our backs support our bodies and our movements through our daily activities. In fact, spinal health plays a huge part in our overall wellbeing. Yet many people don’t take appropriate care of their spines over time. In this day and age it’s easy to pile on a few extra pounds. With all of the electronic devices at our fingertips, bad posture runs rampant. These things combined with aging increase your chances for developing back conditions.
Spinal stenosis occurs when the natural canal through our vertebrae narrows. This puts pressure on the spine and nerves. Over time, this pressure can lead to permanent nerve damage. The narrowing can be caused by a number of issues. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can both contribute to spinal stenosis. As can herniated or bulging discs, misalignments, bone spurs, injuries, and a number of other possibilities. When narrowing occurs in the spinal canal, it is more likely that these conditions will put excess pressure on your spinal cord and nerves.
The symptoms for spinal stenosis vary depending on the advancement of the condition. Symptoms may also increase if additional problems like those listed above are present. Many individuals don’t experience any symptoms during the early stages of spinal stenosis. However, as the condition progresses, many report muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, and pain. The pain is often experienced in the back as well as in the hands, feet, arms, and legs.
As the stenosis advances some people have difficulty with balance and walking. Similarly, standing for long periods of time can also be painful. Sitting down often resolves the pain but it will reoccur with similar activity.
Diagnosing and Treating Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis can’t be diagnosed without diagnostic imaging tests. Your doctor must be able to see what is putting pressure on your spine. This can be done with the use of x-rays and either an MRI or CT scan. The combination of images allows your doctor to evaluate your spine for all possible conditions to determine the cause of your symptoms. If you experience advanced nerve damage then your doctor may also recommend an electromyelogram to test the health of your nerves.
If you experience symptoms associated with spinal stenosis, it’s imperative that you seek treatment. When your nerves are subjected to excessive pressure for long periods of time you may experience permanent nerve damage. The condition isn’t curable, but with chiropractic care and physical therapy the pressure can be relieved or reduced. Treating the cause of the pressure will, in turn, help reduce or eliminate your symptoms.
Non-Invasive Treatment Options for Spinal Stenosis
With a narrowed spinal canal, proper spinal alignment is very important. Visit your chiropractor to ensure your spine is properly aligned helps reduce pressure on your spinal cord and nerves. Physical therapy is a great addition to chiropractic care. This is because it helps you regain strength and flexibility lost due to inactivity from pain.
Spinal decompression is a very effective way to treat spinal stenosis. It’s also one of the least expensive treatment options available for back pain. Regular visits for chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, and physical therapy can keep your symptoms at a manageable level. These three treatments combined ensure that your spinal cord and nerves experience as little pressure as possible. Physical therapy helps by assisting you in rebuilding muscles that may have weakened due to inactivity. It also helps you retrain your body to improve posture. Stronger, better posture helps keep your spine in proper alignment to cause the least amount of pressure on nerves.
Spinal stenosis doesn’t have to control your life. Many people have very meaningful and fulfilling lives while suffering from spinal stenosis. The key is to work with your chiropractor and physical therapist to stay ahead of the symptoms. Slight modifications to various activities and improvements to posture will lessen symptoms and reduce risk of injury. Our professionals can help you regain control of your life.