Spinal Stenosis: How It’s Diagnosed and How Bethesda Chiropractors Can Treat It

Spinal stenosis happens when there is a narrowing of the spinal column spaces, leading to pressure on the nerves and the spinal cord itself. It generally involves at least one of the three key spinal regions:

• Canals found in the roots of spinal cord nerves
• Spinal canal in middle of the vertebral column
• Spaces between vertebrae with nerves that leave the spine and spread through the rest of the body

The condition is commonly due to degenerative conditions like the normal aging process or an inherited condition.

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What Parts Of The Body Are Affected?

The stenosis location will determine what areas on the body are going to be affected.

• Stenosis in the lower area of the spinal cord affects the legs, causing numbness and pain.
• Stenosis in the upper area of the spinal cord will cause pain and numbness in the shoulders.

This condition is often seen in men and women, 50 years of age and older. It can occur in the younger generations, but mostly due to an injury or a condition that results in the narrowing of the spinal canal (dwarfism).

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How Is Spinal Stenosis Diagnosed and Treated?

A doctor will conduct an extensive background to determine whether or not a person has spinal stenosis. This will involve:

• Complete physical exam
• Getting a medical history
• Imaging tests (MRI, CT, or X-rays)

When it comes to treating spinal stenosis, it’s important for you to understand that there is no cure for it. There are several treatments for the condition that include surgery and/or medication. Surgery can be extremely painful, invasive and costly. And, medications will have numerous side effects without really addressing the issue of why the pain is. Medications will just hide the pain.

A chiropractor is a worthwhile option to treating spinal stenosis. The treatment plan is rooted into the premise that restrictive spinal movement leads to dysfunction and pain. Making adjustments can help with the restoration of function and movement.

Another potential treatment option is spinal decompression therapy. This involves using traction to gently pull the spine bones apart. With increasing space for each vertebrae, there is a relief in pressure in the nerves and the pain is drastically cut down.

There are a number of factors that play into the level of success for chiropractic treatment:

• Your age
• How long you’ve had spinal stenosis
• Presence of other conditions that could hinder rehabilitation, treatment or diagnosis

Your chiropractor should work with your other healthcare providers to ensure that you get the best possible treatments for your condition and its symptoms. For further information visit Montgomery County Chiropractic and take advantage of the new patient special offer.