Spinal stenosis treatment typically begins with nonsurgical methods. Although the associated symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the arms or legs may seem cause for immediate surgical intervention, the majority of patients are able to experience relief with several weeks or months of conservative or alternative treatment methods. However, before starting any treatment method, patients should obtain a proper diagnosis from a doctor.

Diagnosing Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis, or the narrowing of the spinal canal, is a degenerative condition in which thinning, bulging, or herniated discs; thickened ligaments; bone spurs, or another issue causes the compression of the spinal cord or a nearby nerve root. Nerve compression interferes with the normal sensory (feeling) and motor (movement) signals that are transmitted between the brain and the rest of the body, resulting in pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling. A number of spine conditions and other health problems can lead to spinal stenosis, so it’s important for a doctor to complete thorough physical and neurological exams to find the exact cause of symptoms. Diagnostic imaging tests, such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans may also be used to ascertain a spinal stenosis diagnosis. Once the cause of spinal canal restriction has been determined, a treatment plan can be formulated, based on a patient’s overall heath, lifestyle, and severity of symptoms.

Conservative Treatments

Spinal stenosis treatment usually begins with conservative methods, as these treatments are widely regarded throughout the mainstream medical community as the initial go-to methods for symptom relief. There are a variety of conservative options that a doctor may recommend to a spinal stenosis patient, the first usually being medication. The compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots can result in mild to moderate pain and inflammation, which may be decreased with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen. If pain is moderate to severe, stronger opioid (narcotic) medications like oxycodone and codeine may be prescribed. Additional conservative treatments include physical therapy, hot and/or cold therapy, low-impact exercising, muscle strengthening exercises, epidural steroid injections, and others.

Alternative Methods

The efficacy of alternative, or holistic, treatments continues to be debated among mainstream medical professionals, but many patients report finding relief from alternative treatment methods, whether used in combination with or in lieu of conservative options. One popular alternative spinal stenosis treatment method is chiropractic manipulation. A chiropractor uses his or her hands to manually adjust the spine, promoting vertebral realignment and neural decompression. Additional alternative therapies include acupuncture, massage, and yoga.

When Nonsurgical Treatments Fail

Although spinal stenosis treatment rarely involves surgery, a doctor may suggest a certain decompression procedure to a patient who is unable to find relief from conservative or alternative treatment methods. Decompression of the spinal cord or a nerve root can be achieved by removing some areas of bone from an affected vertebra. Removing the lamina, the thin plate that forms a protective arch around the posterior (backside) of the spinal cord, can give an impinged spinal cord more space to expand into. Likewise, removing a portion of foraminal bone (the passageways where nerve roots exit the spinal canal) can relieve pressure from a compressed nerve root.

A patient should never feel pressured into undergoing any procedure unless it’s a medical emergency, so it’s important to consider surgery as a last resort and instead work closely with a doctor to formulate a nonsurgical treatment plan that provides the most relief.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for spinal stenosis and several other spinal conditions.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for spinal stenosis and other spinal conditions. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/spinal_stenosis

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for spinal stenosis and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Spinal stenosis