Spinal stenosis refers to a narrowed passageway within the spinal column. It can be caused by a number of different issues, and it often begins with no obvious symptoms. Over time, however, symptoms will worsen if they are not addressed early on. Spinal stenosis is a serious condition that requires intervention in order to slow its progression and resolve associated conditions. Thankfully, chiropractic care can help.

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

Often, spinal stenosis is hard to diagnose because so many of its symptoms are common symptoms of other ailments. Here are some of the most common spinal stenosis symptoms:

• Pain and numbness in the back or neck
• Tingling or numbness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• Balance and stability problems
• Mobility challenges
• Poor range of motion in the spine
• Bowel and bladder issues

Causes of Spinal Stenosis

The spinal column may vary in size slightly from person to person, but it should be large enough to hold the entire spinal cord without any problems. However, certain things can reduce the amount of space within the vertebrae, bringing about spinal stenosis and its associated problems. Here are the most common causes:

• Bone Spurs – When additional bony matter grows on the vertebrae, it can reduce the amount of open space inside the spinal column. Bone spurs often grow due to arthritis, but Paget’s disease and other factors can cause them as well.
• Herniated Discs – When a disc herniates, some of the fluid from inside it leaks or bulges out. This can cause pain and narrowing of the spinal column on its own, but it can also lead to other disc degeneration problems, including spinal stenosis.
• Thickened Ligaments – Spinal ligaments connect bones to each other, and they are responsible for providing support and stability in everyday movements. The ligaments in your spine can thicken due to aging, untreated spinal injuries, being overweight, poor posture, repetitive movements, and chronic spinal inflammation. These thick ligaments cause other inflammation, poor range of motion, and eventually, spinal stenosis.
• Spinal Injuries – Injuries to the spine often lead to inflammation, which can cause a narrowing of the spinal canal. Additionally, broken spinal bones or shifted vertebrae can cause spinal stenosis.
• Back Surgery – Scar tissue and swelling from a back surgery can cause problems within the spine, including spinal stenosis.

Treating Spinal Stenosis with Chiropractic Care

Getting diagnosed with chiropractic care will require some diagnostic imaging, which is why we feel so strongly about taking X-rays of all new practice members. Your primary concern will likely be with treating the pain, and we understand that. But we want you to remember that pain is not the only concern, and masking the pain doesn’t mean that the spinal stenosis is resolved.

The main problem with spinal stenosis, aside from the pain, is that the narrowed passageway impacts the function of your central nervous system. When bones, tissue, discs, or other things are inside the spinal column where they shouldn’t be, they are likely putting pressure on the spinal nerves themselves. This causes an interruption in brain-to-body communication and brings about dysfunction and pain throughout the body.

Spinal stenosis is effectively treated by chiropractic because chiropractors restore proper alignment of the spine and resolve many foundational issues that lead to spinal stenosis. Chiropractic adjustments not only reduce pressure and stress on the spine itself, but they also reduce the pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerve networks.

Before you schedule an invasive and dangerous surgery or take another powerful pain pill for spinal stenosis, consider the benefits of chiropractic care in resolving the issue. Dr. Grant Lisetor and his team at Greater Life Chiropractic are proud to serve the Charlotte area with neurologically-based chiropractic care that helps bring about a greater life for all. Contact them to schedule an appointment today.

Sources

Rodriguez, M. “Laminectomy and Spinal Stenosis: Risks and Complications.” Spine Health, 2019; https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/back-surgery/laminectomy-and-spinal-stenosis-risks-and-complications

Thistle, S. “Research Review: Non-Surgical Treatment vs. Self-Directed Care to Improve Walking in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.” American Chiropractic Association, 2019; https://www.acatoday.org/news-publications/research-review-non-surgical-treatment-vs-self-directed-care-to-improve-walking-in-lumbar-spinal-stenosis/