Tag: chiropractor near me

Spinal stenosis is a chronic condition characterized by the narrowing of your spinal canal. This narrowing leads to compression of the nearby nerves which leads to discomfort and symptoms like radiating pain, burning aches, numbness, or tingling sensation (mostly in the legs and feet). As spinal stenosis compromises the nerve supply of the muscles, long-term disease can also cause muscle weakness. According to reports, every 5/1000 persons in the US above 50 years of age suffer from spinal stenosis. Experts predict that the prevalence of spinal stenosis will increase up to 18 million in the next decade.

Therefore, effective treatment modalities are important in managing the condition. As spinal stenosis mostly affects old adults, it is preferable to opt for non-surgical methods of treatment. Some of the most potent non-surgical treatment strategies for spinal stenosis are mentioned below:

Common Chiropractic Treatment Strategies for Spinal Stenosis

Chiropractic treatment is the go-to spinal treatment for many individuals across the globe. At a chiropractic clinic, you can get relief from your spinal stenosis pain in a number of ways.

Spinal Adjustments/Manipulation

Chiropractors perform manual spinal adjustments to realign the spine. This realignment of the vertebral bones tends to correct spine deformities. Sometimes, a herniated disc causes the spinal canal to narrow. Studies suggest that chiropractic adjustment shows promising results in managing herniation-induced spinal stenosis. Thus, this conservative approach must be considered.

Flexion-Distraction Technique

The flexion-distraction therapy is a chiropractic technique for relieving spine pain. It is performed on a special table and is characterized by gentle distraction and rhythmic spine flexion. This very technique has proven to be an effective intervention in minimizing pain and disability in lumbar spinal stenosis patients. A 2022 study concluded that spinal manipulation (flexion-distraction technique) improved objective and subjective outcomes in lumbar spinal stenosis patients.

Therapeutic Massages

Massage therapy is known to improve blood flow and promote natural healing. The professional touch of a masseuse can alleviate pain and anxiety. Therapeutic massages have shown good results in reducing back pain due to scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, or spinal stenosis.

Ultrasound Therapy

Modern chiropractors frequently use high-frequency ultrasound waves to relegate low back pain, relax muscles, and enhance blood flow. Most of the time, ultrasound therapy is used in conjunction with other chiropractic treatments. Combined use of exercise, ultrasound therapy, and manual manipulation improves symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Spinal Decompression for Spinal Stenosis

Nonsurgical spine decompression is usually done to relieve back pain. It is a motorized traction method that gently stretches the spine to decompress the impinged structures. By applying gentle forces, the chiropractor creates negative pressure on the discs leading to realignment of the spine. Such non-surgical interventions have shown promising results in improving function among lumbar spinal stenosis patients.

Spinal Stenosis Management at The Legacy Clinic

The Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic offers multiple treatment modalities to minimize your stenosis patients. So, don’t delay and get instant pain relief by booking an appointment.

Final Word

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal column that may cause radiating pain and nerve symptoms like burning, tingling, paresthesias, and even muscle weakness. Non-surgical management is a potent treatment option. A chiropractor can effectively alleviate symptoms with spinal adjustments (flexion-distraction technique), therapeutic massages, ultrasound therapy, etc. Moreover, non-surgical spinal decompression involves gentle traction of the spine to realign it.

References

1. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/spinal-stenosis
2. Raja, A., Hoang, S., Patel, P., & Mesfin, F. B. (2017). Spinal stenosis.
3. Zhang, A. S., Xu, A., Ansari, K., Hardacker, K., Anderson, G., Alsoof, D., & Daniels, A. H. (2023). Lumbar disc herniation: diagnosis and management. The American journal of medicine, 136(7), 645-651.
4. Chu, E. C. P., & Sabourdy, E. (2023). Non-surgical restoration of L3/L4 disc herniation. Cureus, 15(6).
5. Choi, J., Lee, S., & Jeon, C. (2015). Effects of flexion-distraction manipulation therapy on pain and disability in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Journal of physical therapy science, 27(6), 1937-1939.
6. Smith, D. L., Olding, K., Malaya, C. A., McCarty, M., Haworth, J., & Pohlman, K. A. (2022). The influence of flexion distraction spinal manipulation on patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: A prospective, open-label, single-arm, pilot study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 32, 60-67.
7. Allen, L. (2016). Case study: the use of massage therapy to relieve chronic low-back pain. International journal of therapeutic massage & bodywork, 9(3), 27.
8. Whitman, J. M., Flynn, T. W., Childs, J. D., Wainner, R. S., Gill, H. E., Ryder, M. G., … & Fritz, J. M. (2006). A comparison between two physical therapy treatment programs for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: a randomized clinical trial.
9. Delitto, A., Piva, S. R., Moore, C. G., Fritz, J. M., Wisniewski, S. R., Josbeno, D. A., … & Welch, W. C. (2015). Surgery versus nonsurgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis: a randomized trial. Annals of internal medicine, 162(7), 465-473.