Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a common medical condition caused by constriction of the spinal nerves exiting from the spinal cord. Spinal stenosis can occur in the neck, lower back, or in the central spine. This is often considered as a result of osteoarthritis and anyone over the age of 50 is at risk of acquiring spinal stenosis.
What is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of one or more areas of the spine. This usually occurs in the lower back or neck and can put pressure on the spinal cord that branches out of the affected area.
If you are suffering from spinal stenosis, you will experience severe pain in the legs, calves or lower back when walking or standing up. These symptoms can worsen over time, however, not all patients develop these symptoms.
Types of Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is often classified based on the location of the condition on the spine. The two main types of spinal stenosis are:
- Lumbar Stenosis
In this condition, the narrowing occurs in the lower back and is considered as one of the most common forms of spinal stenosis.
- Cervical Stenosis
The narrowing occurs in the part of the spine in your neck.
Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
While some people experience symptoms others don’t. The symptoms can gradually worsen over time.
Cervical stenosis
If you are suffering from cervical stenosis, you will experience the following symptoms:
- Neck pain
- Numbness in arm, hand, foot or leg
- Bladder dysfunction
- Weakness in arm, hand, foot or leg
- Problem with walking
Lumbar Stenosis
People living with lumbar stenosis show the following symptoms:
- Numbness or tingling sensation in foot or leg
- Cramping on one or both legs
- Weakness in foot or leg
- Back pain
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What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
The spine runs from your neck to your lower back. While some people are born with small spinal canal and can experience spinal stenosis right from birth, others experience spinal stenosis when the spinal nerves are constricted from exiting the spinal cord.
Some common causes of spinal stenosis include but are not limited to:
Bone Overgrowth
Wear and tear caused by osteoarthritis on your spinal bones can encourage the formation of bone spurs which later on grow into the spinal canal. Moreover, Paget’s disease can also cause bone overgrowth in the spine.
Thickened Ligaments
Ligaments are tough cords that help hold the bones in the spine together. Ligaments can become stiff and thicken over time. This cause the ligaments to bulge into the spinal canal.
Herniated disk
Have you heard about herniated disk? The soft cushion that absorbs shock between the vertebrae dry out with age. The cracks in the disk exterior allow the inner material to escape causing pressure on the spinal cord.
Spinal injuries
Spinal injuries are one of the reasons why you may be experiencing back pain. A car accident can cause dislocation of the vertebrae. The displaced bone can damage the content of the spinal canal, thus putting pressure on the spinal nerves.
Tumors
Tumors or abnormal growth in the space between the spinal cord and vertebrae can also lead to spinal stenosis. Tumors can easily be identified on spine imaging with an MRI.
If left untreated, spinal stenosis can cause permanent weakness, numbness, or balance problem.
Choose Chiropractic Care Treatment
Chiropractors use an array of techniques to help you align your spine without surgery or addictive medications.
- High-Tech Laser Treatment
This new technology offers advanced pain relief and expedited healing times through a process known as photobiostimulation. Laser treatment is one of the fastest ways to allow injured tissues to heal at an accelerated rate.
- Spinal Decompression
A highly effective, scientific therapy that studies have shown an 86% success rate in treating herniated and degenerative discs with a 4% reoccurrence rate after one year. It is our opinion that surgery should never be considered before this type of treatment is utilized.
- Therapeutic Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a therapeutic treatment using high-frequency sound waves to administer into the region of soft-tissue injuries. Ultrasound shoots millions of sound waves into the tissue to penetrate the tissue deep in the body, creating a heat response that increases blood supply, increases oxygen supply and decrease swelling to the area.
- Massage Therapy
We have Certified, Licensed Massage Therapists who help treat patients at our clinic. Massage is helpful in overcoming swelling and pooling of fluids at the site of a recent injury or trauma. Massage also enhances circulation, increases metabolism, enhances joint and muscle function and promotes the healing process.
- Electro Muscle Stimulation
This is a special form of electrical current that is administered at the site of the soft-tissue injury, especially muscles for blocking pain. Its function is to reduce pain, help decrease swelling, promotes general muscle tone, increases oxygen and blood supply to the injured areas and speeds the healing process.
- Exercise and Rehabilitation Therapy
Exercise therapy helps break up fibrotic scar tissue and increase the elasticity and strength of the supporting muscles. A program of carefully designed stretches and exercises helps restore better tone and range of motion to the damaged tissues.
- Diathermy Therapy
Diathermy is a short-wave magnetic energy used to raise the temperature of certain soft tissue below the surface of the skin. It relaxes muscles and connective tissue. It helps to reduce muscle spasms and cramping, dilates blood vessels, stimulates blood flow and white cell production. Increases metabolism and waste removal and helps adhesions and scar tissue.
Dr. Grant has treated many professional, Olympic, college, and high school athletes. However, his passion is to treat all patients equally. Whether you are an Olympic skier or housewife, his desire for a successful and healthy outcome is the same.
Looking to get your chiropractic treatment started?
Just visit Dr. James Grant at the Accident and Injury Clinic in Salt Lake City. You can also call now for a free consultation. (801) 663-7685!
