Back pain occurs for a variety of reasons. If you are over age 50, your discomfort could be due to spinal stenosis, a problem causing the spinal canal to narrow. Here, learn what causes this condition and what you can do about it to enjoy a happier, healthier life.

What to Know About Spinal Stenosis

Causes & Symptoms

Spinal nerves transmit signals from the brain to other body parts. These nerves are protected by spinal column bones, or vertebrae, and the surrounding tissue. When the spinal column narrows due to stenosis, the nerves become compressed to cause pain, tingling, numbness, foot and leg weakness, walking difficulties, back pain, neck pain, and even bladder and bowel problems. Spinal stenosis can affect the cervical spine, or neck, as well as the lumbar spine, or lower back, or both.

While some people are born with narrow spinal columns, others experience spinal stenosis because of bone spurs from osteoporosis-related wear and tear. The condition can also manifest following spinal cord tumors or injuries that damage vertebrae, including herniated discs. The ligaments that hold vertebrae in place can also thicken over time and put pressure on the spinal canal. A disease that softens the bones known as Paget’s disease is yet another contributing factor. 

Treatment Options

If your chiropractor diagnoses you with this spinal pain condition, you have a number of treatment options. Routine physical therapy can strengthen your arm, back, abdominal, and upper leg muscles. Meanwhile, exercise will keep you flexible to improve your range of motion while also contributing to coordination, balance, and pain reduction. It is often combined with other holistic treatments such as massage, chiropractic care, and meridian therapy.

Additional treatment options include non-steroidal inflammatory drugs, cortisone injections, and surgery. Spinal injections and drugs provide temporary pain relief, while different surgeries remove or expand portions of the spine. Fusing spinal vertebrae together with bone grafts or screws also contributes to spinal stability. Since surgery can result in nerve injury, stiffness, bleeding, and infection, it should be regarded as a last resort only.
 

Don’t allow spinal pain to dictate your life. Discuss treatment options with the licensed and board-certified chiropractors at Alpha and Omega Chiropractor in Ruidoso, NM. Serving area residents for a decade, they specialize in whole-body care instead of just treating a few of the symptoms. Call (575) 258-5999 today to schedule an appointment for treatment. Learn more about their capabilities online.