Have you been diagnosed with a spinal stenosis condition, and are looking to understand the treatment options available? At Trent Health in Motion, we’re here to provide helpful information on this common condition and suggest some treatments which may be of benefit.

What Is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a medical condition which affects the spine. The term ‘spinal stenosis’ actually refers to any narrowing or constriction of one or more areas of the spine, along with surrounding structures or tissues. This narrowing can put pressure on the nerves within your spinal cord, which can lead to difficulty walking and standing for long periods of time. Some common symptoms include numbness, leg pain and weakness in one or both legs and lower back pain.

Diagnosing Spinal Stenosis

The first step in any treatment plan is to receive an accurate diagnosis from a qualified healthcare provider. Your doctor will want to know your full symptoms and their severity before they begin their examination. During the exam, your doctor will check your reflexes as well as your ability to stand straight up and walk short distances without difficulty. An MRI scan may also be necessary in order to get further information about how severe the nerve compression is within your spine and what type of spinal stenosis you have.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Spinal Stenosis

For many people with milder forms of spinal stenosis, non-surgical treatments can offer lasting relief from their symptoms when used alongside lifestyle modifications such as physical therapy exercises, massage, yoga or tai chi. Painkillers such as ibuprofen can also help relieve inflammation. Alternative therapies like acupuncture might be considered if conventional medicine isn’t providing relief. Lastly, epidural steroid injections can reduce swelling around the nerve root in cases where nerve irritation is causing symptoms.

Surgical Treatments for Spinal Stenosis

If non-surgical treatment does not produce lasting results for a patient’s symptoms then surgery may be recommended by their doctor depending on the severity of their condition—this is usually considered only when very conservative measures have failed over an extended period of time. Common surgical techniques used in treating spinal stenosis include decompression surgery (to remove bone fragments or other material compressing nerves) and fusion surgery (which involves permanently joining two separate vertebrae together). It’s important to speak with your doctor about all potential surgical options before making any decisions regarding treatment plans that involve invasive operations—they should always be considered carefully as every case is unique with individual risks & benefits associated with each option.

If you think you may have spinal stenosis, it is important to seek help immediately so that you can receive an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment recommendations from a healthcare professional – don't wait! At Trent Health in Motion, we provide comprehensive care for people living with spinal stenosis so contact us today for more information about our services!