Spinal Stenosis Pain Relief

Spinal stenosis is a medical problem in which the spinal cord narrows. This narrowing causes the nerves to pinch, which leads to pain and/or a decreased ability to engage in physical activities. Spinal stenosis has a number of different causes, including arthritis and degenerative disc disease. Age may also be a factor, as the vast majority of patients diagnosed with spinal stenosis are 60 years of age or older.

Symptoms

• There are a number of different symptoms associated with spinal stenosis. The major areas of pain are in the lower back and buttocks, which may experience a persistent dull or sharp ache. Patients may also experience radiating pain in the thighs, legs and lower extremities. Generally, the pain becomes worse when you stand or move and lessens when you sit down.

Pain Killers

• Generally, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like Tylenol that are sold over the counter) are not effective at relieving the pain associated with spinal stenosis. Analgesics and/or epidural steroid injections may be recommended to help relieve pain, especially when physical therapy is the prescribed treatment for the spinal stenosis.

Physical Therapy

• Nonsurgical methods of pain relief are designed both to relieve the pain associated with spinal stenosis and to help cure the spinal stenosis itself if possible. These nonsurgical methods include the wearing of support devices (like back braces), physical therapy regimes and periods of rest and restricted motion.

Surgery

• Surgery may be recommended to treat spinal stenosis if other treatments fail, and if the pain is severe enough to interfere with daily activities and quality of life. There are four different types of surgery performed to treat spinal stenosis (foraminotomy, laminotomy, laminectomy and spinal fusion), each designed to stabilize the spine and/or relieve the pressure on the pinched nerves causing the pain.

Alternative Remedies

• Many patients turn to alternative therapies to help relieve the pain associated with spinal stenosis, either because traditional drug therapy fails or because they want to avoid surgery. There are three major alternative forms of relief: Swedish massage, acupuncture and chiropractic alignment. Swedish massage involves deep tissue massage to relieve pain. Acupuncture places pressure at pressure points to relieve pain. Finally, chiropractic alignment attempts to relieve pain by realigning the spine.