Today, spinal stenosis is among the most frequent causes of lower back pain in patients over fifty. This pain can also present as burning or numbness on the buttocks and legs and eventually leads to leg weakness. The spine is both a strong support for the body's major systems and a delicate bone system that is sensitive to injury. A person depends on the spine to anchor his or her ribs, hold up the upper body, house important nerves, and allow him or her to bend freely without discomfort. Typically when the back is hurt, the muscles surrounding it are strained or the spine itself may have developed an abnormal condition. The result is often intense and excruciating pain. Spinal stenosis is a painful back condition that affects many thousands of people across the country.
Putting the Squeeze on the Spine
Stenosis means "narrowing," so when the term is used to describe the spine, it indicates that the spinal column has become constricted. A slight case of stenosis is bad enough, with symptoms that include discomfort when standing, fever, or unexplained weakness. Severe cases can cause numbness in the lower extremities, dangerous weight loss, and intense pain upon lying down. In order to adopt an appropriate treatment regimen, you should visit a doctor to find out if you have spinal stenosis.
Relief from Stenosis
To get temporary relief from stenosis, lay down on a flat surface. It may be painful at first, but try to relax your back. You can also take an oral, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pill to relieve some of the pressure around your spine. The most effective spinal stenosis treatment is a program that is consistent and combines a healthy diet, regular activity, and plenty of rest. You may think that it is best to avoid all activity when your back is in so much pain. However, there are some physical therapies that are proven to strengthen the spine and core muscles which can help to relieve most, if not all, back pain symptoms.
Freedom to Live Your Life Without Pain
Sometimes it may seem like the pain from spinal stenosis has taken over your life, preventing you from participating in the activities that you love to do. If you take a proactive approach and find a pain treatment center that can help you pinpoint the problem, you may find yourself fully participating in life once again. Not only will a pain relief center be able to help you make positive lifestyle changes, it will provide the most effective, cutting-edge treatments for back problems.
Trust the Pain Relief Experts at Schneider Clinic
Do not go another day suffering from debilitating back pain. Have your condition diagnosed by Dr. Schneider or one of our nurses and make an appointment today. You can schedule a consultation by calling the Schneider Clinic Chiropractic office in Elkhart at (574) 293-7000. Since the spine is such a delicate structure, surgical treatments are not recommended if you can get the pain relief you need with less invasive treatments. Strengthening your muscles, performing stretching exercises under proper supervision, and losing weight through a healthy diet may be all it takes to get rid of your back stenosis for good.
There are a variety of ways that spinal stenosis can occur. Spinal stenosis will occur in the low back (lumbar spine) approximately seventy five percent of the time. When spinal stenosis occurs in the low back it is termed as lumbar spinal stenosis and is commonly referred to as sciatica. Only a doctor or trained professional should advise you any further about possible health issues that you may have.
Stenosis of the spine is often regarded to be one of the primary variables for chronic lower back pain. As the space of the nerve canal tightens because of numerous issues, an individual becomes more prone to compression of the spinal cord and/or its nerve roots leading to not only pain, but various other issues. As the name suggests, this condition develops primarily on the spine area, typically on the cervical and the lumbar area, neck and lower back, respectively. Consequently, a normal symptom of spine issues is neck and lower back pain. As people grow older, the higher the chance of manifestation of stenosis of the spine, especially lumbar spinal stenosis. A part of the natural aging process of the body, the ligaments become less bendable, thick, and hard with age. The bones and joints in the spine become bigger and bone spurs may even develop.
A common cause of spinal stenosis is arthritis. Degenerative arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can trigger degenerative disc disease, which subsequently will boost the chances of spinal stenosis. Joint difficulties in the spine can also manifest with degenerative arthritis, particularly when proper treatment is not followed, apart from the degenerated disc.
Some causes of stenosis of the spine may also be hereditary. Some people may be born with a narrower spinal canal, while other may have a bent spine, also called scoliosis. There is a greater chance of spinal stenosis with these two conditions.
When there are no nerve impingements, a patient with spinal stenosis will typically not display any symptoms at all. However, when brought on by a progressive condition such as arthritis, the symptoms may surface slowly with time, with rising severity of pain.
Many symptoms of spinal stenosis are equivalent to that of sciatica, with the difference of the existence of neck pain and foot issues. Stenosis of the spine may also develop into a much more severe condition, like the Caude Equina Syndrome, when intense nerve impingement happens. Loss in bowel and bladder control, loss of sexual function, pain, weakness, or numbness of the lower extremities, and even paralysis of the lower half of the body are some of the more prevalent symptoms that patients experience in circumstances such as this. Today, there are many spinal stenosis treatment options obtainable and most mainly focus on limiting the condition and reducing the pain felt. Typically, spinal stenosis, when provided ample time can heal itself, that is, if recommended habits are observed. Some usual treatments for this condition are adjustments in lifestyle, exercise and physical therapy, metal braces for the body, and particular anti-inflammation and anti-pain medicines. Chiropractic care is also a leading treatment for spinal stenosis.
As individuals age, spinal stenosis is one of those normally occurring conditions that can trouble us. However, by treating the root cause of the problem, this condition becomes more manageable.