Spine Stenosis

Spine Stenosis

There is help for those who suffer back pain. This can take the form of alternative treatments, such as acupuncture - or more traditional treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications. Anyone who experiences pain from spine stenosis knows that the simple act of just living is often an incredible challenge.

What is spine stenosis? Quite simply, it is a narrowing of the canal in which the spinal cord rests, as well as the channels in the spinal vertebrae where nerves branch off the cord and make their way to the various muscles in the body. This can be caused by arthritis which produces bony growths called osteophytes. The osteophytes impinge on the nerves and produce pain.

The spine is divided into three main sections: cervical (neck), thoracic (upper back and mid back) and lumbar/sacral (low back). The most commonly seen form of spinal stenosis is in the lumbar region.

It is possible that, because of nerve damage caused by spinal stenosis, bladder and bowel function can be compromised and incontinence can be the result. The patient should seek treatment well before these basic bodily functions are impaired.

A conservative approach is the first option for treatment. Often this will take the form of physical therapy, use of local heat or ice, as well as anti-inflammatory and other types of pain medications. Massage can be part of this type of approach, or even possibly alternative therapies such as acupuncture.

Conservative therapies should be given every opportunity before considering any form of surgery; however, when the conservative approach is unsuccessful, it is often necessary to move on to surgical intervention.

There are a number of different surgical procedures available today and the benefit to patients is that they have far more options, and those options can be much less invasive than traditional surgery. The most common of these is endoscopic surgery, which is often done on an outpatient basis or requires a very short hospital stay.

Whether you choose surgery or conservative treatment, listen to your back when you experience pain, numbness or tingling in your extremities, or if you experience partial paralysis - get help before your quality of life is seriously compromised.

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