Holistic Chiropractic Care for Spinal Stenosis

spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis results from the narrowing of the spinal canal. More specifically, the nerve passageways in the vertebrae narrows, thus compressing and blocking nerve roots. The condition may stem from abnormalities in the aging spine, or body mechanics. Symptoms may include pain in the neck, arm, shoulder, or lower back, pain triggered by walking or standing for extended periods that are alleviated after sitting down, or flexing forward, muscle spasms or overall weakness, and tingling, numbness, or temperature changes in the legs.

Characteristically a degenerative condition, stenosis can exist for years and may go undetected. During this time, one may not experience any pain or discomfort associated with the condition. Often, it's only when a sudden fall or accident takes place that stenotic pain makes itself known. Thickened ligaments, an abscess, a developmental anomaly, or a vertebral dislocation are just some of the factors that can lead to stenosis.

To Diagnose Spinal Stenosis
The diagnosis of spinal stenosis is based upon the patient's history of symptoms, an imaging test, and a thorough physical examination. Unlike an MRI, an electrodiagnostic study is usually viewed as a more reliable method of gathering information on stenosis. To diagnose spinal stenosis arising from an infection or an abscess, a blood test may be required. On the other hand, spinal and vertebral tumors are best diagnosed with precise imaging.

The Treatment of Stenosis
If you or a loved one suffers from spinal stenosis, you're probably looking for the best treatment options. The main treatment approaches for spinal stenosis typically involve: 1) The traditional medical treatment of analgesics, bed rest, applied heat, and the use of muscle relaxants, 2) The conservative chiropractic approach that relies on spinal manipulation, specific exercises, and techniques of administering self-care, or 3)Surgery.

Often, it is the source of spinal stenosis that determines its treatment approach. For starters, medication can be effective in providing temporary pain relief; however, it can also worsen the patient's sense of balance. Surgery may be recommended in cases where the patient has issues with bladder and/or bowel control, experiences acute leg pain, undergoes progressive loss of function, or has a spinal cord tumor. These patients often report improvement right after the surgery. Even so, many surgeries have to be repeated since symptoms are likely to return after a period of time. Surgery can also change the structure of the back, occasionally creating other problems.

Over the long term, studies show that outcomes are similar between surgery and conservative care. Since spinal stenosis is viewed as a chronic condition, it cannot be cured - but it can be managed. Improvement can be marked and sustained on a long-term basis. A holistic view of the condition allows for seeking ways to improve the patient's overall quality of life while reducing symptoms. A doctor of chiropractic focuses on this holistic approach.

Chiropractic Treatment of Stenosis

• Non-invasive chiropractic care helps reduce pain and discomfort, while improving joint mobility. This is helpful with mild and moderate cases of stenosis.


• For more acute cases, flexion distraction, in particular, may help reduce discomfort in the legs. Traction employs a pulling force to help widen the space between the vertebrae and lower the pressure on affected nerves.


• Exercise recommendations such as stretching and strengthening exercises of the lower back and stomach are especially helpful. These can include riding a bicycle, and performing exercises that require flexing of the spine. The patient should seek to perform these exercises on a regular basis.

Chiropractors employ a conservative care approach devoid of surgery or drugs. When a chiropractor deems a condition to be outside of his or her scope of treatment, the patient is referred to another specialist. Your chiropractic doctor may also seek your permission to contact you family physician to ensure coordinated care.

When you begin chiropractic treatment, your care may combine more than one type of approach to best suit your individual needs. Treatment may include rehabilitative exercises, mobilization, massage, nutritional advice, and other lines of treatment. The goal is to increase the patient's overall quality of life and not just the symptoms.