What is spinal stenosis?

When the space inside the backbone is too small, spinal stenosis occurs. This condition puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves and most often occurs in the lower back and neck.

What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?

People with spinal stenosis often have no symptoms. Symptoms of spinal stenosis begin slowly and worsen over time. Symptoms depend on which part of the spine is affected.

Spinal stenosis in the lower back

• Pain or cramping in one or both legs-This happens when you stand for a long time or when you walk
• Symptoms that get better when you bend forward or sit
• Back pain

Spinal stenosis in the neck

• Numbness
• Tingling or weakness in a hand, leg, foot, or arm
• Problems with walking and balance
• Neck pain
• Problems with the bowel or bladder

What causes spinal stenosis?

The vertebrae make up the spine and stack on top of each other from the skull to the tailbone. These bones protect the spinal cord, which runs through an opening called the spinal canal.

Most spinal stenosis occurs when something happens to reduce the amount of open space within the spine.

• Bone spurs-Paget’s diseases or wear-and-tear damage from arthritis can cause an extra bone to grow on the spine. Bone spurs can push into the spinal canal.
• Herniated discs
• Thick ligaments-The strong cords that help hold the bones of your spine together can become stiff and thick over time. Thick ligaments can push into the spinal canal.
• Tumors- When tumors form inside the spinal cord, they can put pressure on the surrounding nerves. This is rare but still possible.
• Spinal injuries-Car accidents, tough falls, and other trauma can cause spinal bones to break or move out of place.
• Surgery- Swelling of nearby tissue right after back surgery also can put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.

What are the treatments for spinal stenosis?

Medication

Your health care provider might prescribe:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Antidepressants- Nightly doses of tricyclic antidepressants can help ease chronic pain.
• Anti-seizure drugs- Some anti-seizure drugs can reduce pain caused by damaged nerves.
• Opioids

Steroid shots

An anti-inflammatory medicine — a steroid or corticosteroid -helps reduce inflammation and relieve some of the pain from where your nerve roots are irritated. 

Injecting corticosteroids into the needed area t will not provide permanent relief on its own,  however, it can dramatically reduce inflammation and pain. The effects can last anywhere between 1 week to 1 year. In some patients, steroid injections can reduce pain to the point where patients are able to participate in Physical Therapy, which in turn can strengthen the surrounding muscles and eliminate the need for further treatment.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists diagnose and treat patients with medical problems or injuries that limit their ability to participate in their daily lives. Patients will usually see a physical therapist after a referral by their primary physician. Physical therapists work with patients who have experienced an injury or disease that has affected their movement and range of motion.

At Nextgen Pain & Injury Clinic, our team of licensed physical therapists and rehabilitation experts will focus on your total health and wellness. Regardless of the cause or source of your pain, we will develop a treatment plan with your unique issues in mind.

Our treatment philosophy emphasizes evidence-based manual and therapeutic exercise techniques that are tailored toward efficiently returning patients, athletes, and employees to their pre-injury status. We treat orthopedic and sports injuries, and provide spinal rehabilitation, post-surgical rehabilitation, and industrial rehabilitation. Personalized physical therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions.

• Chronic and acute medical problems
• Knee pain
• Back pain
• Leg Pain
• Ankle pain
• Sports injuries
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Chronic medical problems
• Neurological conditions such as spinal cord injuries

If you or a loved one is suffering from spinal stenosis, know that pain relief is just a few clicks away. Contact Nextgen Wellness Group today, and let us help you take the first steps in healing.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Steroidal medication injected into a painful joint space can help soothe pain in arthritic joints. Injecting corticosteroids into an arthritic joint will not provide permanent relief on its own,  it can dramatically reduce inflammation and pain. The effects can last anywhere between 1 week to 1 year. Injections for joint pain are usually one of the steps taken before resorting to surgery. In some patients, steroid injections can reduce pain to the point where patients are able to participate in Physical Therapy, which in turn can strengthen the surrounding muscles and eliminate the need for further treatment.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists diagnose and treat patients with medical problems or injuries that limit their ability to take part in their daily lives. Patients will usually see a physical therapist after a referral by their primary physician. Physical therapists work with patients who have experienced an injury or disease that has affected their movement and range of motion.

At Nextgen Pain & Injury Clinic, our team of licensed physical therapists and rehabilitation experts will focus on your total health and wellness. Regardless of the cause or source of your pain, we will develop a treatment plan with your unique issues in mind.

Our treatment philosophy emphasizes evidence-based manual and therapeutic exercise techniques that are tailored toward efficiently returning patients, athletes, and employees to their pre-injury status. We treat orthopedic and sports injuries, provide spinal rehabilitation, post-surgical rehabilitation, and industrial rehabilitation. Personalized physical therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions.

• Chronic and acute medical problems
• Knee pain
• Back pain
• Leg Pain
• Ankle pain
• Sports injuries
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Chronic medical problems
• Neurological conditions such as spinal cord injuries