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person suffering from back pain caused by spinal stenosis

Spinal Stenosis Pain Relief and Treatment

The spinal cord travels from the brain stem through the vertebrae of the spine with branches innervating the parts of the body. The canal through which the spinal cord runs must be large enough to allow it to move freely. When the space becomes too narrow, it can put pressure on the nerves traveling through the spine. This medical condition is spinal stenosis. It usually occurs in the neck and in the lower back.

Although spinal stenosis can occur anywhere along the spine, there are two main types. They are cervical stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spaces in the neck bones, and lumbar stenosis, which affects the lower part of the back. Between the two, lumbar stenosis is the most common.

Symptoms

Spinal stenosis is a natural part of aging. Many people over the age of 60 have some type of stenosis. Imaging with a CT scan or MRI may show evidence of the condition even though symptoms may not present. Usually, when symptoms do occur, the onset is gradual and will get worse over time. Symptoms can vary. Location of the condition and which nerves are affected determine what symptoms may manifest.

Symptoms of cervical stenosis may include:

  • Numbness or tingling. This can happen in the arms, hands, feet or legs
  • Weakness in a hand, arm, foot or leg
  • Difficulty with walking and keep your balance
  • Neck pain
  • There may be loss of bladder or bowel control in severe cases

Lumbar stenosis symptoms may include:

  • Numbness or tingling in a foot or leg
  • Weakness in a foot or leg
  • Pain or cramping in either leg or both when standing for long periods of time or when walking; sitting or bending forward eases the pain
  • Back pain

Causes of Spinal Stenosis

Your spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae in your spine. These bones form a canal through which the spinal cord travels. When the spinal canal narrows, pressure on the nerves can result in problems. Sometimes a person may be born with a small spinal canal. However, most cases of spinal stenosis are the result of aging or injury:

  • Wear and tear from aging can cause overgrowth of the bone. This happens with osteoarthritis and bone spurs form on the vertebrae. When they grow into the spinal canal, they can cause problems. A bone disease affecting adults called Paget’s disease is another source of bone overgrowth.
  • Herniated discs can narrow the spinal canal when some of the soft interior of the disk protrudes out from a crack in the hard, outside layer. If it extends into the canal, pressure on the nerves can result.
  • Thickened ligaments may bulge into the canal. Ligaments hold the bones of the spine together, and over time they can become stiff and thick.
  • Tumors can form inside the spinal cord. This can happen within the membranes that cover the spinal cord or within the space between the spinal cord and the vertebrae. This is a rare occurrence and shows up on MRI and CT scans.
  • Spinal injuries from car accidents or other trauma can cause a dislocation or fracture of vertebrae. If a bone is displaced due to a fracture, the contents of the spinal canal can be damaged.

Risk factors for spinal stenosis include age, as the condition mostly affects people over the age of 50. Younger people can have degenerative changes that lead to spinal stenosis; however, it is advisable to rule out other causes. Trauma or congenital spinal deformity may be factors in younger patients. Genetic diseases that affect bone and muscle development throughout the body may also be a factor.

Complications with Spinal Stenosis

Complications with this condition are rare, but when they do develop, it is usually a permanent symptom of numbness, weakness, balance problems, incontinence and sometimes paralysis.

Treatment

An accurate diagnosis is required for effective treatment. The type of treatment will depend on where the stenosis is located and how severe symptoms are. Patients who have no symptoms are monitored as are those with mild symptoms. Follow up visits help your doctor monitor the progression of the condition. Mild symptoms may call for self-care tips your doctor can recommend. Physical therapy may be advised also.

Spinal stenosis pain can cause individuals to become less active. Inactivity can lead to muscle weakness, resulting in more pain. Physical therapy can help you strengthen your muscles and build endurance. It can also help maintain spinal flexibility and stability while at the same time improving your balance.

Other non-invasive treatments include massage therapy, chiropractic treatment and acupuncture. Manhattan Sports Therapy offers a wide range of non-invasive pain therapies to help reduce the pain of spinal stenosis. Contact us for more information and to schedule a consultation appointment.

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Pam L.

Having performed surgery for decades my neck And back have been damaged. I can honestly say that Rachel has kept me functioning at a high level. Nobody else was. Despite being a surgical candidate which is refused to have she managed to overcome all of my problems. The office is also immaculately clean ( I am a germaphobe). Chiro in the past was hit or miss. Sometimes it helped and sometimes it actually made things worse. This has never happened with Rachel. I always feel better. Guaranteed. She will bend over backwards to accommodate my schedule. She is a rising star.

Will A.

The entire staff is very helpful, kind, and extremely efficient. If it wasn't for Dr. Rolland Miro I strongly feel the bursitis in my shoulder would still be in major pain. If you have shoulder pain, rotator cuff issues, or bursitis don't hesitate, RUN to see this man! I came to Manhattan Sports Therapy skeptical because I had already visited two other physical therapist who were not getting me better. I had pain for 9 months until visiting MST. Miro was patient with my healing process and was always transparent when telling me what stages I was in my recovery. Now I am fully recovered back to pumping iron and putting on a backpack without pain. Thank you to everyone in that office for making my experience great from start to finish.

Natalie V.

I was having severe inner hip and lower back pain for months. Every step I took was painful. I couldn't run, bike, swim or even attempt a workout. I started seeing a PT twice a week for a month and nothing happened, in fact, my pain increased. So, I decided to try another Physician and I found Manhattan Sports Therapy and Dr. Rolland Miro. After my first appointment, I knew I made the right choice. I started seeing Dr. Rolland twice a week. After my first week, I could already feel a HUGE difference. After week three, the pain in my hip was completely gone. It's now been two months and as I continue my treatment, I'm feeling better and better. I ran five miles for the first time in over a year last week! I highly highly recommend Dr. Rolland. He's the best at what he does and he's very knowledgable when it comes to health and fitness all around.

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