Spinal stenosis is an all too common problem that tends to affect older adults, but it can also affect younger individuals in the wake of trauma to the spinal column. The condition is categorized by the narrowing of the spinal canal, which is the column through which spinal nerves pass as they traverse throughout your body. When this space narrows, nerves can become compressed, which can lead to a number of uncomfortable symptoms.
Fortunately, spinal stenosis symptoms can oftentimes be managed effectively without the need for surgical intervention. In today’s blog, we explore how a spine specialist can walk you through some conservative options for calming symptoms of spinal stenosis.
Non-Operative Treatments For Spinal Stenosis
Your spinal canal can narrow for a number of different reasons, but the most common is due to complications of arthritic degeneration. When your spinal discs begin to thin as a result of osteoarthritic degeneration, they are more likely to shift and rub against other hard surfaces, increasing your likelihood of bone spurs that impede the spinal canal space. Also, when you’re dealing with spinal osteoarthritis, facet joints in your spine may end up handling more pressure and can become slightly enlarged as a result. If they are taking up more space, they are narrowing the path through which these spinal nerves can pass.
Spinal stenosis is also a possibility in the wake of trauma to the spine. Whether it be from a car accident, serious fall or collision during athletics, damage to a spinal structure can lead to inflammation and imperfect healing, both of which can lead to spinal canal narrowing. If you suspect that trauma or arthritis are causing your spinal stenosis symptoms, reach out to a spine specialist. If they confirm your suspicions, they’ll then walk you through some common nonoperative treatment options, which will likely include:
- Physical Therapy – Physical therapy uses targeted exercises to strengthen muscles and ligaments in the spine. When these structures are stronger, it helps take stress off other areas of your spinal column, like your spinal discs. Excess disc pressure could be narrowing the spinal canal, so strengthening spinal structures with physical therapy can calm stenosis symptoms.
- Posture Improvements – Your doctor or your care team can also talk to you about the importance of postural improvements. Slouching or hunching in your seat can narrow the spinal canal, or it can put extra pressure on your lower back or neck, which as we’ve already discussed, could lead to a narrowing of the spinal space.
- Weight Loss – Improvements to your diet and exercise regimens could help you use weight, which is oftentimes an effective way to manage symptoms of spinal stenosis. As we’ve discussed, increased pressure on your spine makes it more likely that your spinal canal may be impeded on by discs or other structures. By losing weight, you can take an immense amount of pressure off your spine, which could prevent narrowing.
- Anti-Inflammatory Medications – Anti-inflammatory medications are also an effective method for reducing spinal stenosis symptoms if inflammation is the root cause of the narrowing. Even if this is the case, anti-inflammatory medications should be paired with other active treatments for best results.
- Corticosteroid Injections – If inflammation is more severe, a direct injection of corticosteroids can provide immediate relief. The effects of the injection will fade over time, so you’ll want to pursue physical therapy, stretching exercises or weight loss to help achieve some long-term relief.
If none of these methods provide the relief you’re looking for, reach out to Dr. Jackman and the team at the Midwest Spine & Brain Institute. We’ll do everything in our power to help find a solution to your spinal stenosis pain, even if that means moving forward with a minimally invasive decompression procedure. For more information, or for help with your back pain, reach out to our team today at (651) 430-3800.
