Spinal Stenosis Conditions Treatment Chiropractor in San Diego CA

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the holes where the spinal cord and nerves travel through the spine. These holes get smaller and create pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves exiting the spinal column. Depending on which nerves are affected, spinal stenosis can cause numbness or pain in the neck, back, arms, legs, or shoulders. This condition can happen as a person ages (generally at about 40 years and above).

One of the most common causes for this is when a spinal disc starts to become drier and shrink while the bones and ligaments begin swelling and growing due to arthritis and inflammation. This process will often create stenosis either in the cervical (neck) or lumbar (lower back) regions. Stenosis can be very serious, depending on how compressed the spinal cord or nerves get. In some rare cases, patients will need a surgical consult.

Spinal stenosis pain often manifests as numbness, weakness, a tingling sensation, or loss of control over bladder and bowel functions. In some cases, this might feel like diffuse pain around the glutes and legs. Other times it can be radiating pain similar to sciatica. The pain experienced as a side effect of spinal stenosis can range from mild to excruciatingly severe.

The most common causes of spinal stenosis are:

  • Herniated or slipped disk
  • Osteoporosis
  • Thickened ligaments

Less common causes are:

  • Tumors in the spine
  • Birth defects
  • Imperfections in the development of the segments of the spine
  • An injury that has caused pressure on the spinal cord or nerve root
  • Achondroplasia, Paget’s disease, or other bone diseases

Keeping good ergonomics and posture with all your movements is one of the most important things you can do to help prevent stenosis from occurring. This will help ensure you are in a good position to load your spine and body safely.

Exercise and physical therapy are also essential to help you maintain good posture through your movements and activities. Strengthening and stabilizing your body through various movements that translate to everyday activities will help you load your body and spine with good stability. Without this, your spine can experience shearing and compressive forces. This will inevitably compress your discs and cause wear and tear on your spine.

If you are a good candidate, the best alternative to surgery is non-surgical spinal decompression. We have treated hundreds of people with spinal stenosis. We can confidently say this is the number treatment. Once you’ve fully decompressed the spine and put your body in a better position, you can move on to physical therapy. Strengthening and stabilizing your spine allows you to maintain good posture and keep things from regressing.

How We Treat Spinal Stenosis In San Diego, CA

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

At San Diego Chiropractic Neurology, we run a comprehensive examination to help identify the root cause of your condition. We run through a focused neurological and orthopedic exam to identify the nerves, muscles, joints, and soft tissues involved in your condition. If an MRI or X-ray is required, we will examine this to create a more precise road map and treatment program. If you are a good candidate for the treatments we offer at our clinic, we will present what that treatment will look like on your day two report of findings.

Low-Level Laser Therapy

White tissues, like the discs and ligaments, are often worn down and have become unstable over time. They are called “white tissues” because they have poor blood flow. Blood supply is vital for recovery and healing. We utilize an amazing technology called low-level laser therapy to help improve blood supply and accelerate this healing process. Applying the laser over the stenosis and injured tissues will increase blood supply to the area to speed up the healing process. Better blood flow means faster healing. Laser therapy is a pillar of every stenosis recovery program.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

At the core of most spinal stenosis conditions is compression of the spine. It is one of the most common causes of spinal stenosis nerve symptoms. The discs wear down, herniate, slip, and bulge. As a result, the space where the nerves travel through gets smaller resulting in numbness, burning, tingling, stabbing, etc. This becomes a spinal compression issue.

The good news is that there is technology that can help decompress the spine. Non-surgical spinal decompression is our favorite treatment for this. It will help stretch the spine open, so those holes have more space for the nerves. This will help reduce your symptoms, reduce the inflammation of the nerves, and jumpstart the recovery process. Every patient that qualifies for spinal stenosis treatment with us receives non-surgical spinal decompression. Once the spine is decompressed, you can finally continue down your road to recovery.

Chiropractic Care and Soft Tissue Mobilization

When muscles are too tight or structures are not in good symmetrical alignment, the healing process is slowed, further provoking stenosis and irritated tissues. It is imperative to include chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue work with the muscles. Chiropractic will ensure things heal up in a good strong position and set you up for success in your recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can chiropractic in San Diego, California, help with spinal stenosis?

Yes, but not in isolation. You must incorporate chiropractic with the treatments mentioned above. You can improve spinal stenosis symptoms when you have the right combination of therapies.

Can chiropractic hurt cervical spinal stenosis?

Our clinic performs low-velocity adjustments that will not hurt your spinal stenosis. We are very careful in our approach.

What should I avoid with spinal stenosis?

Typically arching your spine backward and loading it with compressive forces, like certain workouts or physical work, can provoke it. This is especially true if you move and sit with poor posture and ergonomics.

Can spinal stenosis be reversed naturally?

Some causes of spinal stenosis, like disc injuries and local swelling, can be reversed.

What is the newest treatment for spinal stenosis?

Non-surgical spinal decompression is the newest treatment for spinal stenosis.

What is the most common treatment for spinal stenosis?

Physical therapy is likely the most common treatment for spinal stenosis. That being said, it does not remedy the compressive aspects that are partly the cause of stenosis.

Is massage good for spinal stenosis?

Massage can be good for spinal stenosis as long as it does not provoke your symptoms. Massage directly over the injured area can be provocative. Also, lying on your stomach can be inflammatory to the stenosis.

What is the best sleeping position for spinal stenosis?

Typically, the best position to be in is lying on your back. You can also try putting pillows underneath your legs to help take tension out of your lower back.