For patients with spinal stenosis, treatment options will vary, particularly because the symptoms each patient experiences can differ greatly. One individual with spinal stenosis may never experience discomfort, while another may suffer from debilitating pain. This discrepancy exists based on whether or not the stenosis – or “narrowing” – of nerve passageways in the spinal column has compressed the spinal cord or a nerve root. Symptoms can include localized pain at the point of compression, as well as radiating symptoms of pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling in the extremities. A doctor will typically recommend treatments that focus on alleviating symptoms, often by attempting to non-surgically relieve nerve compression.

Initial Treatments

Since every patient with spinal stenosis symptoms can experience different levels of pain, it is important for individuals to clearly explain their symptoms to a doctor so that the proper treatments are prescribed. Give your doctor a detailed description of the location and severity of your discomfort, and try to describe when the symptoms usually occur (at the end of the day or first thing in the morning) and if there are any activities that tend to trigger the onset of symptoms (walking, sitting, standing, etc.). In most mild to moderate cases of pain, a doctor may initially recommend conservative (nonsurgical) spinal stenosis treatment options, such as:

– Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications – to help reduce inflammation and pain

– Cold therapy – to numb painful areas and soothe inflamed tissues

– Heat therapy – to relax tense muscles surrounding the narrowed portion of the spine

– Low-impact exercise – to keep spinal muscles strong, which may take some pressure off of the narrowed portion of the spine that is causing nerve compression

– Gentle stretching – to flex the spine, which widens spaces within the spinal canal and temporarily relieves nerve compression

More targeted treatments such as pain- and inflammation-relieving epidural steroid injections or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may also be necessary to combat symptoms. Some patients have also found alternative treatments beneficial, though these are generally not considered to be part of mainstream medicine. You may want to ask your doctor about the possibility of supplementing your prescribed treatment regimen with acupuncture, acupressure, massage, biofeedback, or chiropractic manipulation.

Surgical Treatment

Spinal stenosis surgery is typically reserved for patients who have not found significant pain relief, even after exhausting all forms of nonsurgical treatments. Such patients are usually debilitated by their symptoms and have a reduced quality of life as a result. Surgical treatment normally focuses on the decompression of a neural structure by removing a portion of bone and/or other tissue within the spinal column. This can help to expand the area surrounding a compressive anatomical abnormality and relieve pressure from the pinched nerve. Ideally, patients considering surgery should always thoroughly research their options before consenting to any procedure and consult with multiple surgeons about the different procedures that are available. Ask each specialist you meet with to provide a full list of his or her credentials and certifications, in addition to a contact sheet for previous patients who can serve as referrals.

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