Spinal Stenosis Relief

“Oh, My Aching Back!”

Could you use a dollar for every time either you or someone you know has said that? Back pain can be considered the root of all evils by those who suffer from it on a daily basis.

So What’S the Solution?

Depends on what kind of pain you have and how severe it is.

If the pain is not debilitating, doing exercises tailored to your specific problem area can help relieve it, although unfortunately, it won’t cure it. Pain relievers (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofin) or a supportive brace are also effective. Sometimes epidural injections are successful as well, when administered up to three times over several months. Modifying your activities can also help, e.g., walking in a bent-over position while leaning on a walker or shopping cart, or riding a stationary bike instead of going for a walk. Sitting in a recliner instead straight up in a chair is also recommended.

If the pain is so severe that you can’t function the way you’d like to on a daily basis, surgery is probably the answer. It will relieve the pressure you’re feeling on your spine by widening the spinal canal. The narrowing of that canal is a common cause of spinal stenosis, and there are now minimally-invasive types of surgery in practice that can rectify that situation.

But Wait – There’s More!

Even though it may seem like your back pain started out of the blue for no rhyme or reason, it’s actually been building up for months or even years. It’s very possible you’ve been moving your body in ways that have been putting stress and strain on your spine without your even knowing it. The result is that you’ve developed imbalances in your muscles, pulling your pelvis and spine out of alignment. Eventually, your spine rebels and says, “Enough already!” That’s when the pain kicks in.

So it’s important for you to work with a health professional to figure out where your muscle imbalances have been occurring. Once that’s been determined, you can start to correct the movements you’ve been making and the positions that have thrown your spine out of whack. The sooner you talk to your doctor about diagnosing your muscle imbalances, the sooner you’ll give relief to that aching back of yours!