Spinal stenosis affects millions of people, especially older adults. About 11% of older adults experience the symptoms that include back pain and achiness that extends to the buttocks and often to one or both legs.
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces within your spine narrow, putting pressure on the nerves that travel through it. This can lead to pain, numbness, and reduced mobility. If you're living with spinal stenosis, managing pain and staying active is essential to maintaining your quality of life.
Read on to learn how to manage spinal stenosis, as recommended by Ioannis Skaribas, MD, DABA, FASA, our pain specialist at Expert Pain in Houston, Texas.
Spinal stenosis typically affects the lower back (lumbar stenosis) or neck (cervical stenosis). Common causes include age-related degeneration, arthritis, spinal injuries, and thickened ligaments.
Typical symptoms include:
Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and mobility issues.
We offer effective pain management strategies at Expert Pain to help you maintain an active and fulfilling lifestyle.
We customize a pain management plan for you that may include any of the following:
A customized physical therapy plan can strengthen muscles that support your spine, improve flexibility, and reduce pain. Exercises may focus on core stability, posture correction, and gentle stretching.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) can relieve mild pain and inflammation. Dr. Skaribas may recommend prescription medications or muscle relaxants in more severe cases.
For persistent pain, we offer epidural cervical and lumbar steroid injections to reduce inflammation and provide relief by targeting the affected nerves directly.
You may also find relief by reducing excess weight, avoiding high-impact activities, and using a brace or cane to improve mobility.
When conservative treatments aren't enough, minimally invasive procedures like spinal decompression may offer relief. These treatments can alleviate pressure on the spinal nerves with a shorter recovery time than traditional surgery.
While you may be tempted to limit activity to avoid discomfort, remaining active is essential for managing spinal stenosis and maintaining overall well-being.
We suggest the following options:
Avoid overexertion by taking frequent breaks and listening to your body whenever you participate in activities.
Don't let spinal stenosis hold you back. At Expert Pain, we provide personalized care plans that include advanced treatments and compassionate support to help you regain control of your life.
Contact us today by phone or online to set up an appointment and experience quality care for spinal stenosis.
