If you experience back pain that prevents you from doing the things you enjoy, you’re not alone. More than 80% of adults in the United States experience some form of back pain in their lives, and spinal stenosis is a common culprit.
At Integrated Spine and Pain Services in Falls Church and Alexandria, Virginia, our providers are committed to helping patients find relief from back pain. This includes spinal stenosis, a condition where your spinal cord becomes compressed.
If you have back pain and are worried about spinal stenosis, you’ve come to the right place. Take a moment to learn more about this condition as we answer top questions, including if it can be reversed.
Your lower back, or lumbar spine, has five large vertebrae, each with two facet joints and a large, bony disc. These components protect your spinal cord, located in a canal in the center of your vertebrae.
The canal can narrow due to age or triggers like trauma, leaving your spinal cord with less space. This leads to additional pressure on your nerves and spinal cord, called spinal stenosis.
In the early stages of spinal stenosis, you may not experience noticeable symptoms. However, since the condition is degenerative, symptoms develop and worsen over time and may present as:
Spinal stenosis may cause incontinence or paralysis in the most severe cases.
Most cases of spinal stenosis occur after age 60 because your spinal canal naturally narrows as you age. The four most common causes of spinal stenosis are:
Be sure to speak to your provider if you’ve experienced these conditions.
Unfortunately, spinal stenosis cannot be reversed. However, lifestyle changes to protect your spine increase your chances of preventing spinal stenosis or slowing its progress and reducing symptoms.
Here are our top three tips to help you keep your spine healthy and prevent spinal stenosis and other conditions from developing:
Gentle stretches that target your spine give you a better range of motion and keep your body limber. If you’ve been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, stretching can slow the progression of the condition and minimize some symptoms like pain or stiffness.
Dr. Clop works with you to recommend personalized stretching exercises that meet your age, flexibility, and overall health. Gentle yoga is often a good starting place.
You may not realize posture's important role in your spine health. Muscles in your abdomen, hips, back, and pelvic floor (your core) stabilize your spine.
This keeps your spine aligned and reduces stress on your bones and joints. Good posture means a neutral spine and the support of your body distributed equally.
Exercising regularly keeps your spine healthy when you do activities that train the muscles that support your back, keep your spine flexible, and build your endurance.
Your entire spine experiences added pressure and stress when you're overweight or obese. Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight helps prevent spinal stenosis and other back and health issues.
At Integrated Spine and Pain Services, our team creates a personalized treatment plan to manage spinal stenosis by reducing pain and improving spinal function and mobility.
We like to start with more conservative methods to reduce and manage your pain, including anti-inflammatory medications and lifestyle changes. If these methods don’t help improve your symptoms, your provider may recommend other methods, such as:
To learn more about spinal stenosis and how we can help manage your condition, schedule an appointment at Integrated Spine and Pain Services in Falls Church or Alexandria, Virginia, today.
