Spinal stenosis is a painful condition that occurs due to the narrowing of the spinal canal which puts extra pressure on the nerves

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Effective Treatment Modalities for Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis causes narrowing of the open spaces within your spine which puts extra
pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots that pass through the spine. This causes
“pinching” of the spinal nerve roots and results in pain, cramping, and muscle weakness.
About 75% cases of spinal stenosis occur in the lower back area. The condition can also affect
the neck and the upper back.
The condition can develop because of wear and tear of the spine and usually manifests in
people over 50 years of age. It may also be caused due arthritis, scoliosis, tumors of the spine,
trauma, thickened ligaments, and herniated disc. People with a family history of spinal
stenosis or other back problems are at an increased risk of developing the condition.
Symptoms
Persistent pain, numbness or weakness in the back, legs or arms could be symptoms of spinal
stenosis. Symptoms usually start slowly and can become so severe that walking even short
distances becomes unbearable. The severity of symptoms may vary and depend upon the
location of the stenosis. They include the following -
 Neck or low back pain
 Hot or cold feelings in the legs
 Frequent falling, clumsiness
 Cramping or aching in the calves that impairs walking
 Abnormal bowel/and or bladder function

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Diagnosis and Treatment of Spinal Stenosis
Depending on the severity of symptoms, the condition can be
managed well with a combination of non-invasive treatment
modalities. The best place to get such treatments is at a reliable
healthcare center. At a multi-specialty healthcare center, a
qualified and experienced team of professionals will evaluate
your condition, and help you manage your pain and maintain
mobility and function.
Diagnosis will begin with a detailed clinical and physical
examination. The physician will evaluate your complete medical
history and your symptoms. X-rays, MRI and/or CT scans, and
electro-diagnosis (EMG) tests may be performed to determine the
source of the pain.
At a professional healthcare center, the treatment plan would
include the following modalities -
 Physical therapy – These therapeutic programs help improve strength and balance
as well as maintain the flexibility and stability of the spine. Therapeutic exercise
programs include strengthening, stretching, aerobic, and isometric exercises which
help pain management and increase flexibility.
 Chiropractic manipulation – This treatment modality focuses on improving the
movement of the spine through gentle hands-on manipulation to restore function and
reduce pain.
 Non-surgical spinal decompression – This FDA approved, revolutionary traction
treatment encourages healing by cycling through phases of distraction and relaxation.
The traction increases the space between the vertebrae, which eases the pressure on
affected nerves and reduces back pain.
 Epidural steroid injections – Injecting corticosteroid into the space that surrounds
the nerve roots (epidural space) can help reduce inflammation and relieve pressure on
the joints.

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 Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – This modality uses low-
voltage electric stimulation which interacts with the sensory nervous system to
manage chronic pain.
 Prolotherapy – Also known as sclerotherapy or regenerative injection therapy, it
helps in healing and alleviates pain, thereby improving functional abilities.
 Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – RFA uses electrical current to heat the nerve
tissue, thereby reducing pain signals from the area.
 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) treat inflammation and prevent further damage.
These nonsurgical treatments may be used in succession or in combination based on the
severity of symptoms and the extent of change over time.