Spinal Stenosis Treatment In San Diego, CA

Spinal stenosis is a spinal canal narrowing where the spinal cord and nerves travel. This condition exerts pressure on the spinal cord and the nerve roots exiting the spinal column, leading to various symptoms depending on the affected area. Common symptoms of spinal stenosis include numbness, neck pain, back pain, leg pain, sciatica, and loss of bowel or bladder control. This condition often arises in individuals over 40 due to disk degeneration, bone spurs, and thickened ligaments. This can also occur with people under 40 who have moderate or severe disc bulges, herniations, and extrusions.

Causes and Symptoms

One common cause is the drying and shrinking of spinal disks as bones and ligaments swell due to arthritis and inflammation. This can lead to cervical spinal stenosis in the neck or lumbar spinal stenosis in the lower back. Spinal stenosis symptoms may include tingling, numbness, weakness, and loss of control over bodily functions. Pain can range from mild to severe, sometimes radiating similarly to sciatica.

Common Causes

Herniated or Slipped Disk: Disks can bulge or rupture, causing nerve compression.
Osteoporosis: Bone weakening can lead to spinal fractures, compressing nerves.
Thickened Ligaments: Ligaments can thicken and creep into the spinal canal.

Less Common Causes

Spinal Tumors: Tumors can form in the spine, causing compression.
Birth Defects: Congenital abnormalities can contribute to spinal stenosis.
Spinal Injuries: Trauma can lead to spinal cord or nerve root compression.
Bone Diseases: Conditions like Paget’s disease can alter bone structure.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

For those suitable, non-surgical spinal decompression is highly effective. We have successfully treated numerous cases of spinal stenosis with this method. Post-decompression physical therapy helps strengthen and stabilize the spine, ensuring long-term relief. Our clinic and many others have found that starting with decompression and following it up with physical therapy is the most efficient combination to get to the root of the problem and create a lasting change.

Prevention and Management

Maintaining good ergonomics and posture is essential to prevent stenosis. Exercise and physical therapy strengthen core muscles, stabilize the spine, and prevent compressive forces. Regular physical activity, under the guidance of physical therapists, can help maintain a healthy weight and spine health.

Advanced Diagnostic and Treatment Options for Spinal Stenosis

Diagnosis and Imaging

Spinal Stenosis Diagnosed: Diagnosis often involves a detailed physical exam and imaging tests.
Orthopedic and Neurological Testing: You physician will perform comprehensive orthopedic and neurological tests on your body and nerves to help diagnose what is the cause of your symptoms and whether or not it is potentially coming from spinal stenosis.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI is crucial for visualizing spinal canal narrowing and nerve compression.
CT Scan and Other Imaging Tests: CT scans and other imaging techniques provide detailed views of bone structure and nerve involvement.

Managing Symptoms

Physical Therapist: This person works on exercises to strengthen the lumbar spine and core muscles, promoting a spine-healthy approach.
Relieve Inflammation and Swelling: Anti-inflammatory medications and steroid injections can help reduce swelling. CAUTION: This masks the pain and does not get rid of the problem. If you are out of pain you might start doing things that make your body worse without knowing. This can put you in a much worse position than you were prior.
Bone Graft: This may be used during surgery to support the spinal structure.
Foot Drop and Leg Weakness: Addressed through physical therapy and medical management. This again should be done following spinal decompression. If the nerve is compressed and gives you a foot drop then strengthening the muscle through physical therapy is putting a bandaid over the wrong area. You have to decompress the nerve and follow that up with strengthening the weak muscles to create a permanent change.
Risk Factors: Includes disk degeneration, thickened ligaments, and poor posture.

Treatment Options

Nonsurgical and Drug Free Treatment: Options include non surgical spinal decompression, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory diet, anti-inflammatory supplements, and lifestyle modifications.
Spine Surgery and Spinal Fusion: In severe cases, surgical procedures like spinal fusion may be necessary to relieve symptoms and stabilize the spine.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: These procedures reduce recovery time and minimize tissue damage.

Understanding Symptoms and Conditions

Burning Pain and More Serious Symptoms: This may indicate nerve damage or severe stenosis.
Exiting Nerves and Nerve Compression: Monitoring these is crucial, as they can lead to significant pain and functional loss.
Cauda Equina: A serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.

Lifestyle and Overall Health

Burning Pain and More Serious Symptoms: This may indicate nerve damage or severe stenosis.
Exiting Nerves and Nerve Compression: Monitoring these is crucial, as they can lead to significant pain and functional loss.
Cauda Equina: A serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.

How We Treat
Spinal Stenosis
in San Diego, CA

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

At San Diego Chiropractic Neurology, we provide a thorough examination to identify the root cause of spinal stenosis. A focused neurological and orthopedic physical exam helps identify which spinal nerves, muscles, joints, and soft tissues are involved. We use imaging tests like MRI or CT scans to create an accurate treatment plan if needed. Our approach ensures that the specific causes, such as lumbar spinal stenosis, cervical spinal stenosis, or other spinal stenosis symptoms, are effectively addressed.

Low-Level Laser Therapy

White tissues, including discs and ligaments, often wear down and become unstable due to reduced blood flow. Low-level laser therapy enhances blood flow, promoting healing and reducing inflammation. Applying the laser to affected areas, such as those with thickened ligaments or herniated disks, accelerates recovery by increasing blood flow and cellular energy. This therapy is integral to relieving pain and treating spinal stenosis.

Low-Level Laser Therapy

White tissues, including discs and ligaments, often wear down and become unstable due to reduced blood flow. Low-level laser therapy enhances blood flow, promoting healing and reducing inflammation. Applying the laser to affected areas, such as those with thickened ligaments or herniated disks, accelerates recovery by increasing blood flow and cellular energy. This therapy is integral to relieving pain and treating spinal stenosis.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

Spinal stenosis often results from spinal canal compression, causing nerve compression and a range of painful symptoms. Non-surgical spinal decompression stretches the spine to create more space, reducing nerve pressure. This treatment is particularly effective for lumbar spinal stenosis and other spinal compression issues, helping to relieve pain and jumpstart the recovery process.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

Spinal stenosis often results from spinal canal compression, causing nerve compression and a range of painful symptoms. Non-surgical spinal decompression stretches the spine to create more space, reducing nerve pressure. This treatment is particularly effective for lumbar spinal stenosis and other spinal compression issues, helping to relieve pain and jumpstart the recovery process.

Chiropractic Care and Soft Tissue Mobilization

Chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue mobilization are crucial for maintaining spinal health and preventing complications. Misaligned structures and tight muscles can exacerbate spinal stenosis symptoms. Chiropractic care ensures proper alignment, while soft tissue mobilization helps reduce pain, relax muscles, and improve blood flow to affected areas. This comprehensive approach supports long-term relief and spinal health.

Chiropractic Care and Soft Tissue Mobilization

Chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue mobilization are crucial for maintaining spinal health and preventing complications. Misaligned structures and tight muscles can exacerbate spinal stenosis symptoms. Chiropractic care ensures proper alignment, while soft tissue mobilization helps reduce pain, relax muscles, and improve blood flow to affected areas. This comprehensive approach supports long-term relief and spinal health.

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

At San Diego Chiropractic Neurology, we provide a thorough examination to identify the root cause of spinal stenosis. A focused neurological and orthopedic physical exam helps identify which spinal nerves, muscles, joints, and soft tissues are involved. We use imaging tests like MRI or CT scans to create an accurate treatment plan if needed. Our approach ensures that the specific causes, such as lumbar spinal stenosis, cervical spinal stenosis, or other spinal stenosis symptoms, are effectively addressed.

Additional Treatments

Physical Therapy: Strengthens core muscles and improves posture, essential for managing spinal stenosis symptoms.
Acupuncture: Help reduce inflammation and manage symptoms in severe cases.
Alternative Treatments: Including anti-inflammatory diet and supplements to help reduce systemic inflammation and buffer pain levels

Frequently Asked Questions about Spinal Stenosis

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

Yes, spinal decompression care can help relieve pain and manage symptoms of spinal stenosis, especially when combined with other treatments like physical therapy, direct current electrical stimulation, and low-level laser therapy.

Can spinal decompression hurt cervical spinal stenosis?

Our clinic utilizes non surgical spinal decompression that is safe for cervical spinal stenosis. These gentle therapy aims to relieve pressure and reduce pain without harming the patient.

What should I avoid with spinal stenosis?

Avoid activities that arch your spine backward or load it with compressive forces, such as specific workouts or physical tasks. Poor posture and ergonomics can worsen symptoms.

Can spinal stenosis be reversed naturally?

Some causes of spinal stenosis, like disc injuries and local swelling, can be managed and sometimes reversed with nonsurgical treatments. Maintaining a healthy weight, physical therapy, and exercises that strengthen core muscles are beneficial.

What is the newest treatment for spinal stenosis?

Non-surgical spinal decompression is a newer, effective treatment for spinal stenosis, helping to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots

What is the most common treatment for spinal stenosis?

Physical therapy is commonly used to treat spinal stenosis. However, it should be complemented with treatments addressing spinal compression, such as non-surgical spinal decompression. If you do not address the compression causing the stenosis then you are not addressing the root of the problem.

Is massage good for spinal stenosis?

Massage can help relieve pain and improve blood flow, but it should be done carefully to avoid aggravating symptoms. Avoid lying on your stomach, as it can increase inflammation.

What is the best sleeping position for spinal stenosis?

Lying on your back with pillows under your legs can help relieve pressure on your lower back. This position helps maintain a neutral spine and reduces pain.

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