Stenosis causes a reduction in the volume of the spinal canal. This can lead to pain in the neck and lower back, as well as the emergence of other symptoms such as numbness, weakness, and, in extreme cases, even paralysis.
Currently, conventional medicine offers several options for treating spinal canal stenosis. Below are all the known treatment options.
Physical therapy
Many doctors believe that physical therapy can help reduce pain. You can consult a manual therapist who will offer exercises to reduce pain in the neck or legs. These exercises will make your muscles stronger and more resilient to pain.
They will also strengthen your spine, leading to pain reduction by restoring spinal mobility. Spinal decompression therapy is a popular treatment that is very beneficial for patients.
Other specific methods can be used to increase the space between vertebrae, thereby reducing pressure on nerves. You can also try changing your posture while sitting or walking to reduce pain in the limbs.
Massage
Consultations with certified massage therapists can be beneficial. However, only consult certified practitioners, and also consult with a doctor before using massage therapy to treat spinal canal stenosis.
The massage therapist will provide you with the necessary assistance in relaxing tired muscles and nerves, and may also suggest some useful exercises and positions. They may also use hot or cold compresses on the affected areas of your body.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient science that involves stimulating certain nerves and centers of the body. There are several methods, but the most popular involves the use of thin, long metal needles. By penetrating the body, they stimulate specific areas.
There is evidence that this procedure provides relief to patients who particularly complain of lower back pain.
Medication
To reduce pain, medications acting as analgesics are often recommended. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, and so on.
Some analgesics, such as acetaminophen, also help alleviate pain. Another method for treating spinal canal stenosis is to administer corticosteroid injections into the outer membranes of the spinal cord. This will help reduce inflammation, which in turn will reduce pain in the leg or thigh.
Surgery
Surgical intervention is necessary when symptoms are very severe, or when physical therapy and medications fail to improve the patient’s condition. If you have been suffering from pain for a long time, it is likely that even after surgery, some pain sensations may persist.
In some cases, even with the help of MRI and CT scans, it may be difficult for the surgeon to work. Therefore, before considering surgery, all risk factors, pros and cons should be discussed, and only then should a reasoned decision be made.