Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is often associated as a natural part of the aging process. The normal wear and tear that occurs as we move and use our bodies, can result in the degeneration of the spine (discs, ligaments or joints) as we get older. Specifically, spinal stenosis means narrowing of the spinal canal. This makes the areas that the nerves travel through narrower, and this can result in pressure being placed on the nerves, which can cause pain. The narrowing of the canals typically occurs gradually, but can also happen due to tissue strain, or injury.
Do I have spinal stenosis?
The main symptom of spinal stenosis is pain and stiffness. If the spinal canal becomes so narrow that the nerves become under pressure, pain, numbness and tightness can travel from the bottom of your spine down into your upper leg. Other symptoms include pain in the groin, butt or upper thigh that doesn’t move down the leg, pain with standing or walking that feels better when you sit, or pain that feels more intense when leaning back and becomes less intense if you lean forward.
How is it treated?
Physiotherapy has been researched in the treatment and elimination of pain caused by spinal stenosis. Physiotherapy can help relax the soft tissues around nerve openings and improve spinal column positioning in order to take pressure off the nerves. This will help alleviate the pain and numbness that is felt when the nerve is compressed. Some methods Nicole will use in her physiotherapy treatment plans include educating you on activities and positions that should be avoided to reduce pain, core strengthening exercises, manual therapies, like stretching and soft tissue release, and joint mobilization exercises to help increase hip and spine mobility.
One study released in the Annals of Internal Medicine, even suggested that physical therapy works just as well as surgery for spinal stenosis, and comes with fewer unwanted side effects. Why not give physiotherapy a try?
Sources:
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Lumbar_Spinal_Stenosis
https://rebalancetoronto.com/spinal-stenosis/