Effective Treatment Modalities for Spinal Stenosis

Effective Treatment Modalities for Spinal Stenosis Spinal stenosis causes narrowing of the open spaces within your spine which puts extra pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots that pass through the spine. This causes “pinching” of the spinal nerve roots and results in pain, cramping, and muscle weakness.

About 75% cases of spinal stenosis occur in the lower back area. The condition can also affect the neck and the upper back.

The condition can develop because of wear and tear of the spine and usually manifests in people over 50 years of age. It may also be caused due arthritis, scoliosis, tumors of the spine, trauma, thickened ligaments, and herniated disc. People with a family history of spinal stenosis or other back problems are at an increased risk of developing the condition.

Symptoms Persistent pain, numbness or weakness in the back, legs or arms could be symptoms of spinal stenosis. Symptoms usually start slowly and can become so severe that walking even short distances becomes unbearable. The severity of symptoms may vary and depend upon the location of the stenosis. They include the following 

Neck or low back pain

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Hot or cold feelings in the legs

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Frequent falling, clumsiness

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Cramping or aching in the calves that impairs walking

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Abnormal bowel/and or bladder function

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Diagnosis and Treatment of Spinal Stenosis Depending on the severity of symptoms, the condition can be managed well with a combination of non-invasive treatment modalities. The best place to get such treatments is at a reliable healthcare center. At a multi-specialty healthcare center, a qualified and experienced team of professionals will evaluate your condition, and help you manage your pain and maintain mobility and function.

Diagnosis will begin with a detailed clinical and physical examination. The physician will evaluate your complete medical history and your symptoms. X-rays, MRI and/or CT scans, and electro-diagnosis (EMG) tests may be performed to determine the source of the pain.

At a professional healthcare center, the treatment plan would include the following modalities 

Physical therapy – These therapeutic programs help improve strength and balance as well as maintain the flexibility and stability of the spine. Therapeutic exercise programs include strengthening, stretching, aerobic, and isometric exercises which help pain management and increase flexibility.

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Chiropractic manipulation – This treatment modality focuses on improving the movement of the spine through gentle hands-on manipulation to restore function and reduce pain.

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Non-surgical spinal decompression – This FDA approved, revolutionary traction treatment encourages healing by cycling through phases of distraction and relaxation.

The traction increases the space between the vertebrae, which eases the pressure on affected nerves and reduces back pain.

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Epidural steroid injections – Injecting corticosteroid into the space that surrounds the nerve roots (epidural space) can help reduce inflammation and relieve pressure on the joints.

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Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – This modality uses lowvoltage electric stimulation which interacts with the sensory nervous system to manage chronic pain.

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Prolotherapy – Also known as sclerotherapy or regenerative injection therapy, it helps in healing and alleviates pain, thereby improving functional abilities.

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Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – RFA uses electrical current to heat the nerve tissue, thereby reducing pain signals from the area.

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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) treat inflammation and prevent further damage.

These nonsurgical treatments may be used in succession or in combination based on the severity of symptoms and the extent of change over time.

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718-769-2521