What is Spinal Stenosis?

Have you ever felt numbness or tingling in your spine? You may be suffering from a condition called Spinal Stenosis. Or perhaps you’ve just been diagnosed and are wondering about your condition. Either way, we’ve compiled a helpful guide to your condition. We hope this article will enhance your knowledge of spinal stenosis and help you in your search for treatment.

Spinal Stenosis is the narrowing of space within the spine. With the added pressure from narrowing, the nerves in the spine condense. This can cause problems not only by eliciting pain from your back but can also spread to other parts of your body.

Analyzing Symptoms

Some people with spinal stenosis are fortunate enough to not have symptoms, though the condition can worsen over time and lead to complications. For most people, tingling and pain can be present anywhere along the back. Spinal stenosis can also cause muscle weakness in some patients. Without intervention, symptoms may worsen to include weakness, balance issues, incontinence, and even paralysis. It is important to consult a medical professional if your symptoms change.

Encompassing the Spine

Stenosis may be present at any section of the spine. People experiencing symptoms in the lower back most likely have lumbar spinal stenosis. Symptoms occurring in the middle of the back indicates a patient has thoracic spinal stenosis, while pain in the upper back is categorized as cervical stenosis.

Though the location varies, symptoms often remain the same. Though pinpointing the location of narrowing can help a healthcare provider alleviate your pain efficiently.

Some people are born with the condition, known as congenital spinal stenosis. Patients with congenital spinal stenosis likely were born with spinal canals that are too small. Again, this condition may require no treatment if symptoms do not develop but could require surgery if symptoms are debilitating. Osteoarthritis can also cause the condition, especially as symptoms worsen over time.

Other than congenital conditions, stenosis may be present due to injury, bone overgrowth, herniated discs, thickening ligaments, or tumors present in the spine.

Can a Chiropractor Help with Spinal Stenosis?

Yes. Chiropractors offer many modalities of treatment for spinal stenosis like spinal manipulation, stretching, massage, personalized exercise, and physiotherapy. 

Whether you have mild cervical or severe thoracic spinal stenosis, our team of professionals is well-equipped to mitigate your pain and decrease your symptoms.