Tips for Avoiding Sciatica During Pregnancy
Your body goes through an amazing number of changes during pregnancy, and not all of them are good. As an example, sciatica is a common problem later in pregnancy, but not an inevitable one.
Non-Surgical Treatment for Spinal Stenosis
ALL-NATURAL NON-INVASIVE, TREATMENTS
Lower back and neck pain can make you put a pause on daily activities you love to participate in as a result of pain. If you are living with pain and it is slowly getting worse with time and the ways in which you are coping with it are no longer effective, you may need professional help. At Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Texas, we offer a non-surgical spinal stenosis treatment and additional options for all of your neck and back pain. The amazing thing about our bodies, is they were designed to heal themselves, so our programs and treatments guide them toward natural healing through evidence-based techniques that are improving our patients’ lives.
WHAT IS SPINAL STENOSIS?
Spinal stenosis term refers to the narrowing of the spinal cord channel. The space reduces due to the bulging of an intervertebral disk. This is the source of the pain found in the neck and lower back.
The spine is made up of connected bones (or vertebrae) one upon another and shock-absorbing discs. It helps in protecting the spinal cord, an important part of the central nervous system that connects the brain to the body. The cord rests in the canal formed by the vertebrae.
It is possible that the narrowing of the spinal cord channel is a result of changes caused by arthritis. As the spinal canal narrows, the open spaces between your vertebrae start to shrink. The swelling can pinch the spinal cord or the nerves around it, causing pain, tingling, or numbness in your legs, arms, or torso.
While some people may not experience pain, over time, both types of spinal stenosis have common symptoms of muscle weakness, numbness, and tingling.
Like many other disc injuries, spinal stenosis is often age-related from prolonged wear and tear and osteoarthritis.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPINAL STENOSIS
You can differentiate the two types of degradation in the spinal column based on where it occurs.
The two major types of spinal stenosis include:
- Cervical stenosis – In this type, the narrowing of the spinal cord occurs closer to the part of the spine located in the neck.
- Lumbar stenosis – This type of spinal stenosis occurs where the narrowing is associated with the lower back — it is also the most common type of spinal stenosis.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SPINAL STENOSIS?
While you may have lower back or neck pain, it may not always be spinal stenosis, but another disc-related issue.
The only way to truly know if you have spinal stenosis is through diagnostics such as an MRI or CT scan, and sometimes the patient doesn’t even realize they have it because they have no symptoms.
If you do have symptoms, they may begin gradually and get worse over time and you may experience the following:
- Sciatica. A person may feel shooting pains in the lower back or buttocks towards the side of the calves or lower.
- Foot drop. It makes the leg weak resulting in slapping the floor with the foot.
- A hard time standing or walking. Standing up for long hours also causes pain due to pressure that compresses the vertebrae and causes pain.
- Radicular pain. Radiating pain from the spine into the arms and legs.
- Myelopathy. The person may feel numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms and legs. It can also affect other parts of your body, such as your bladder and bowel.
- Cauda equina syndrome. This also affects the nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord. Left untreated it can lead to a loss of feeling in the pelvic area, or incontinence.
Cervical Stenosis:
- Neck pain
- Numbness or tingling in the upper limbs
- Weakness
- Balance and walking issues
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction
Lumbar Stenosis:
- Back pain
- Weakness
- Cramping and pain in your legs when standing or walking
- Numbness or tingling in lower limbs
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF SPINAL STENOSIS?
Again, aging is one of the leading causes of spinal stenosis, however, some are born with smaller spinal canals that can subject them to spinal stenosis as they mature. Other factors include:
- Herniated discs – As the discs age, they become dehydrated and dry and are subject to cracks and tears, which press up against the nerves and cause pain.
- An abundance of bone – If osteoarthritis is present, the wear and tear from the spinal bones can create bone spurs that grow and obstruct the spinal canal. Paget’s disease also affects the spinal canal therefore, it causes bone growth.
- Stiff ligaments – Over time, sprite ligaments can become tough and thick causing them to press into the spinal canal causing pain.
- Spinal trauma – Spinal traumas and injuries that result from car accidents or accidents can fracture and dislocate the vertebrae in your spine. Bone displacement in the spinal canal may cause spinal stenosis.
- Tumors – Growths can occur in the spinal canal, crowding the space and causing spinal stenosis. While uncommon, it may be identified & diagnosed through a CT scan or MRI.
SPINAL STENOSIS PREVENTION AND AT-HOME RELIEF
It is important to monitor the progress of your lower back and neck pain, but schedule an appointment if the pain becomes unmanageable and disruptive to your daily activities.
Lifestyle – Spinal stenosis is a result of aging, but you can better quell its effects by living a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating healthy, staying active every day, and limiting alcohol and nicotine use.
You Can Manage Pain at Home with the Following:
- Pain relievers
- Hot/cold packs
- Using a cane or walker for stability
When you select laser therapy as an option for your non-surgical spinal stenosis treatment, you really have nothing to lose — except your pain! Treat all of your different pains and find relief today. Our pain doctors are serving patients in and near the Twin Cities, MN.
The specialists at Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Texas use a variety of natural treatment options, using safe and effective therapies that include spinal decompression therapy, spinal stenosis rehabilitation exercises, physical therapy, massage therapy, and laser pain relief. Contact us for more information or to schedule your consultation.
SPINAL STENOSIS CARE & SOLUTIONS AT NPC
Our facility tackles spine and disc issues differently — without the use of pharmaceuticals or surgery! Find pain relief and get back to living with our help!
To learn more about Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Texas, and the non-surgical spinal stenosis treatment options we offer for your pain and other conditions, click here! Visit our Facebook page for all of the latest updates and information about us and our services.
If you’re ready to get scheduled for a consultation or would simply like to ask some questions click here.
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