What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is one of the most common conditions that effect the older population. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that causes pinching of the spinal cord. The spine is comprised of bones call vertebrae. The vertebrae are like bricks that make a pillar (the spine). 

This pillar keeps your body upright and is the foundation of your skeletal system. The spine also protects your spinal cord. Most of you know that your spinal cord carries your nerves which carry information such as pain from your body to the brain.  Over time, the part of the vertebrae that encases the spinal cord becomes narrower and with eventually begins to compress on the cord itself. This results in pain and possibility numbness and tingling in one or both legs.  

Signs of spinal stenosis:

1.  Pain with back extension activities (leaning back).
2. Standing is more painful than sitting.
3.  Pain goes away with sitting or lying down.
4. Pain and/or numbness extends down legs, most of the time into both legs.
5. Pain relief medications are not effective.

Treatment for spinal stenosis:

1. Conservative treatment: NSAIDS (Tylenol, Aspirin, ice)
2. Changing sleeping positions – Sleeping on side.
3. Medical treatment – Surgery, medications, injections.
4. Physical therapy – Therapist will teach core strengthening, postural control, body mechanics and pain management with manual therapy. 

Spinal stenosis is a difficult thing to treat but there are some patients that respond very well with treatment. The therapist and the patient must work hard together to return the patient to his/her normal life.