Relieve Your Spinal Stenosis Pains with Spinal Manipulation
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, approximately 2.4 million Americans will suffer from spinal stenosis by 2021. It is a silent epidemic that generally affects people aged 50 or older; however, it can also occur in younger adults who have a history of arthritis.
Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the canals in your spine that are formed by the vertebrae. This narrowing can impinge on the nerves exiting your spine and/or the spinal cord itself. Symptoms can vary, but often include radiating pain in the back, buttocks, and even legs. Furthermore, weakness and poor balance in the legs can often occur, making it difficult to tolerate walking long distances and prolonged standing.
Fortunately, targeted physical therapy treatments, such as spinal manipulation, can help manage the symptoms of spinal stenosis and provide pain relief. Spinal manipulation helps relieve pressure on joints, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve function. It is a gentle, hands-on form of manual therapy that focuses on evaluating and enhancing spinal function. To learn more about how spinal manipulation can help relieve your pain, contact GoodLife Physical Therapy in Homer Glen, Orland Park and Evergreen Park, IL today.
What happens when spinal stenosis develops?
The most common form of spinal stenosis is known as foraminal stenosis. Foraminal stenosis occurs when there is a narrowing of the foramen canals on either side of the spine, formed by the vertebrae above and below the segment.
In each foramen canal, spinal nerves exit the lower back, in order to help different parts of the pelvis and legs function properly. With age and deterioration of the discs between the spine, the canals shrink in size. It is also possible for them to develop bone spurs. This irritates the nerve roots, especially when the spine is extended.
People living with spinal stenosis typically feel better when sitting, but notice increased levels of pain with standing and backwards bending.
How can spinal manipulation help?
Your spine is a complicated structure of vertebrae, discs, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. Therefore, it takes a delicate balance to make sure it is at its peak level of health and function.
Spinal manipulation is a treatment method that has been known to relieve a large variety of painful conditions, including spinal stenosis and its accompanying symptoms. In fact, a study published by the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy supports spinal manipulation as an effective mode of treatment.
The study, titled “Effectiveness of Physical Therapist Administered Spinal Manipulation for the Treatment of Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review of the Literature” analyzed data from several reputable medical journals to determine the effectiveness of this form of treatment on patients living with lower back pain. Six randomized control trials were included for review and thoroughly assessed by the researchers.
Results were overwhelmingly positive for the success of spinal manipulation. The conclusion is as follows:
“Based on the findings of this systematic review there is evidence to support the use of spinal manipulation by physical therapists in clinical practice. Physical therapy spinal manipulation appears to be a safe intervention that improves clinical outcomes for patients with low back pain.”
Low back pain is the most common symptom of spinal stenosis. If your pain is limiting your life, our methods at GoodLife Physical Therapy can help.
Find relief today:
Spinal manipulation has had a very positive effect on many of our patients at GoodLife Physical Therapy. Through our advanced treatment methods, our physical therapists can help you restore more natural movement to your spinal joints, improve your flexibility to increase joint fluid circulation, improve your spinal muscle strength, and educate you on correct posture and prevention techniques.
Essentially, we can help you do more, with less pain. In fact, our patients often report significant reduction in pain and improvement in daily activities after just a few short weeks of treatment.
If you have been living with pain from spinal stenosis and you’re looking for relief, contact GoodLife Physical Therapy in Homer Glen, Orland Park and Evergreen Park, IL today. By treating your pain early through spinal manipulation, we can help manage it so it doesn’t worsen. Don’t live with the limits of your pain – relieve your pain and improve your spine health with us today!
