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Spinal Stenosis: What is it? And How Can Physical Therapy Help?

January 23, 2020

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal. Some individuals are born with a narrow spinal canal, more often however, the narrowing of the spinal canal progresses as we age as a result of degeneration. This narrowing of the spinal canal can put pressure on your spinal nerves and spinal cord causing pain. Stenosis can occur anywhere along the spinal cord but is most common in the neck (cervical) and in the low back (lumbar) areas of the spine. Other spinal stenosis symptoms include but are not limited to:

Spinal stenosis is diagnosed by your doctor based on your symptoms, health history, along with a physical exam. Imaging such as MRI or CT scan may also be done to confirm a diagnosis. In some cases, your doctor may order electromyography which can assist in determining the electrical activity of your nerves, nerve roots, and muscle tissue. Current treatment for spinal stenosis can include medication, physical therapy, or surgery.

While there is no cure for spinal stenosis, physical therapy can aid greatly in decreasing the severity of its associated symptoms. Physical therapy can increase your tolerance for activity, decrease low back pain, improve mobility and strength, and get you back to your life. It’s not uncommon for individuals with spinal stenosis to become less active due to pain and other related symptoms. Inactivity can lead to increased pain and weakness along with non-physical stressors mentally and emotionally.

Physical therapy can help to decrease the pain and other symptoms listed above that you may be experiencing as a result of spinal stenosis. Physical therapy can help to improve strength, flexibility, and activity tolerance. Here at Atlas Therapy, we value one-on-one hands-on manual therapy techniques each and every visit. These manual techniques help to decrease pain, improve nerve-related symptoms, and improve mobility. When these manual treatments are combined with an exercise program each visit that is customized to your body, you will see that the symptoms you are experiencing improve, and your goals are within reach. These exercises help to decrease low back pain, improve mobility, and improve strength and activity tolerance.


References:

Spinal stenosis. (2018, March 8). Retrieved January 17, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-stenosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352966

Spinal Stenosis. (2019, October 21). Retrieved January 17, 2020, from https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/spinal-stenosis

Posted in Medical Conditions on Jan 23, 2020