Spinal Stenosis Causes and Treatment
What is Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a painful disorder in which the spinal (aka vertebral) canal narrows, compressing the nerves and leading to back, leg pain, and other symptoms. The majority of cases occur in the lower back. A normal spinal canal has adequate room for the spinal cord and nerve roots. A variety of factors, described below, can lead to a narrowed canal.
Causes of Spinal Stenosis
aging: it occurs most frequently in those over 50 years old; the body's gradual aging process can lead to thickened ligaments, the development of bones spurs, and/or deteriorating disks -- all of which can cause narrowing of the spaces in the spine.
- arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis both particularly affect the spine and may result in spinal stenosis
- trauma: accidents or injuries may dislocate the spine or cause small bone fractures that can affect the width of the spinal canal
- heredity: some people are born with a narrowed spinal canal; scoliosis can also produce pressure on nerves and soft tissue and compress the spinal canal
- tumors: the inflammation or increased tissue size caused by tumors can create pressure on the canal
Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
Symptoms of spinal stenosis typically include:
- low-back pain, sometimes accompanied by neck and arm pain
- pain from walking or prolonged standing, often resulting in limping
- numbness, tingling, or hot and cold feelings in the legs
- muscle weakness, cramping or spasms
- increased falling or clumsiness
- severe stenosis may lead to problems with bowel and bladder function and/or foot disorders
Spinal Stenosis Treatment
The traditional medical approach for spinal stenosis may dictate bed rest, addictive pain medications, injections and/or surgery. However, depending on the severity, spinal stenosis can often be treated through non-surgical treatments, such as spinal decompression utilizing the DRS Protocol® available at Busch Chiropractic Pain Center in Fort Wayne, IN.
When the health of one part of the spine fails it results in stress on other parts of the spine and pain in other parts of the body. Spinal stenosis may begin slowly with symptoms progressively worsening. Unfortunately, it is a chronic condition and a patient cannot be "cured" of it. But its affects can be greatly lessened without the use of drugs or surgery.
At Busch Chiropractic we work with our spinal stenosis patients (and all of our patients) to reduce the painful symptoms and improve their daily quality of life. With proper attention these improvements can be maintained over the long term and place our patients on the path to a pain-free lifestyle.
If you suffer with spinal stenosis pain, contact Busch Chiropractic today at (260) 471-4090 to learn more about our nonsurgical treatment options.
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