Spinal Stenosis and Back Pain
As mentioned before, narrowing down the reasons and an exact diagnosis for back pain can often be a complicated process. There are multiple diagnoses that can apply, and oftentimes those who suffer from back pain may have greater or lesser symptoms. In short, it is a problem that’s as individual as the sufferer. One of these conditions is spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the open spaces within your spine. Your spinal discs rest between each of your vertebrae, offering cushioning protection and maximum ability to move with comfort. When these narrow, it can cause the bones in your spine to pinch nerves, rub together and cause overall discomfort.
Spinal stenosis occurs mainly in the neck and lower back. While there are those who may not experience any symptoms at all, most sufferers complain of pain and numbness in affected areas, and oftentimes problems with their bladder or bowel functions. The most common reason for spinal stenosis is general wear and tear that naturally comes with age. While in cases of severe spinal stenosis a doctor may suggest surgery to deal with the symptoms, there has been a good case made for non-invasive procedures to help sufferers deal with the overall pain issues they may be experiencing.
As with any medical problem, the best defense is a good offense. Medications and steroid injections can go a long way to help you get started on the road to recovery, allowing you more freedom of movement so you are able to engage in a course of strengthening exercises and physiotherapy. With these, you can increase your muscle capabilities to help support your back, thus preventing pain issues and giving you more ability to enjoy the daily activities as you did before. As every individual has different needs, it’s a good idea to visit a back specialist clinic, such as Integrated Spine & Sports, that can offer a variety of different practices to help build you an overall strategy for your back pain.
Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-stenosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352961
Our approach to treating back pain
By visiting a back pain specialist clinic such as Integrated Spine & Sports, the professionals there can help individually tailor a program to help both manage your symptoms and work on your recovery.
We offer non-surgical options for the treatment of injuries and medical conditions affecting the back, with an integrative approach that may include:
Back Pain Specialists
Our back pain specialists in Manhattan create custom treatments designed to meet the needs of people suffering from acute pain due to injury, as well as those experiencing chronic conditions affecting the muscles, discs, soft tissue and nerves within the back, cervical spine, and neck.
Our integrative team, consisting of a board-certified physiatrist, chiropractors, and physical therapists, offers comprehensive treatment for acute and chronic back pain treatment in NYC.
Back Pain FAQs
Some of the common symptoms of COVID-19 are “aches and pains”. Some patients do experience back pain, especially in the lower back. In some cases, the pain is subtle but constant. In others, it is an intense, pulsating pain, which can radiate down to the legs. If the back pain persists, consult your doctor.
Generally, the best position to sleep is on your back. Sleeping on one’s back ensures that the spine is in a neutral position, which can help with back pain. You can also put a pillow under your knees, legs, and/or lower back to support the natural curve of the spine. This can minimize lumbar pressure and relieve back pain.
If doing gentle back stretches doesn’t do the trick, then try strengthening your core so your spine isn’t struggling to stay upright. Heat therapy and cold therapy can also work well for pain relief. If your back pain is a result of poor posture or a bad workstation setup, make the necessary changes to avoid back pain in the future.
Your back pain is likely serious if it occurs with any of the following symptoms: numbness in lower body, loss of bladder/bowel control, fever, unexplained weight loss, swelling. In such cases, please consult a physiatrist immediately.
Short-term (or acute) back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. This is often the case with back pain, and patients usually recover without medical treatment. Sometimes, it lasts for 12 weeks or longer. This is called chronic back pain, and it can take a while to go away. Medical treatment often helps relieve chronic backpain, so we recommend consulting a physiatrist.
Acupuncture provides short-term relief for chronic back pain. Back pain is actually the number 1 reported reason people seek acupuncture. By stimulating the various acupuncture points associated with back pain, parts of the nervous system are also stimulated, which can help provide pain relief.
