What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a condition that affects the spine, and it can be especially debilitating for elderly individuals. Stenosis occurs when the spaces in the spine become narrowed, leading to increased pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. This narrowing increases with age, which is why elderly individuals are particularly at risk for developing spinal stenosis. If you are living with chronic pain, discomfort, and limited mobility, you may be wondering what the best treatment is for spinal stenosis. While many people turn to surgery, there is an alternative that may help you find relief more quickly and with less risk: chiropractic care.

Sacramento Chiropractor helps with spinal stenosis

At our Sacramento Chiropractic office, we have had significant patient success when it comes to spinal stenosis. Typically patients feel significant relief from spinal decompression.

Symptoms of spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis has a variety of symptoms, but many people experience some variation of the following issues that interrupt their daily activities:

Pain

The most common symptom of spinal stenosis is pain that can be felt in the neck or back. This pain may radiate down to the arms or legs and can be more noticeable when standing or walking. The type of pain can be described as burning, aching, or stabbing.

Tingling

The nerve compression in spinal stenosis can lead to tingling or numbness in the arms and legs. Daily activities such as tying shoes or buttoning a shirt may become difficult, and some people may even experience difficulty walking.

Numbness

Individuals with spinal stenosis may experience numbness in their hands, feet, arms, or legs. The severity of the numbness can vary and may lead to difficulty with balance. When the spine is severely compressed, it can cause numbness and muscle weakness in the legs and arms.

Weakness

Nerve compression due to spinal stenosis can lead to muscle weakness that manifests in the arms and legs. Lifting heavy objects may become difficult or even impossible, and performing daily tasks such as walking up stairs or carrying groceries may become more difficult.

Difficulty standing for long periods

When the spine is compressed, it can lead to difficulty standing. This symptom is particularly prevalent in patients who are elderly or have been diagnosed with severe spinal stenosis. While standing, some individuals may experience pain or numbness in their arms and legs which can make standing for long periods difficult.

Discomfort while walking

Walking may become painful or difficult when an individual has spinal stenosis. The nerve compression, which results in pain, tingling, weakness, and numbness, affects the ability to walk and can make long distances difficult. Depending on the severity of the stenosis, some individuals may be limited to very short distances. This can make it difficult to be active, which can lead to decreased overall health.

An understanding of the limitations of spinal stenosis can help individuals to make informed decisions about what type of treatment is best for them. People may not realize that chiropractic care can ease the pain of spinal stenosis and offer hope for greater mobility and even permanent relief. Let's take a closer look at that!

How can chiropractic care help with spinal stenosis?

Barham Chiropractic, your Sacramento chiropractor, specializes in providing care that can help ease spinal stenosis. Let us tell you how.

Chiropractic Adjustments

Chiropractic adjustments are gentle, hands-on manipulations that help to reduce nerve compression in the spine. By realigning the vertebrae and relieving pressure on nerve roots, chiropractic adjustments can help to reduce the pain associated with spinal stenosis. Manipulating the spine can also lead to increased mobility and improved range of motion.

Soft Tissue Therapy / Muscle Relaxation

At Barham Chiropractic we have an excellent team of massage therapists.

Massages can help to relax the muscles, relieve pain, and reduce tension in the spine. When combined with chiropractic adjustments, muscle relaxation can help to improve overall spinal health, increase circulation, and reduce inflammation.

Rehabilitative Exercises

At Barham Chiropractic, we believe that rehabilitation exercises are essential for reducing pain and improving mobility in people of all ages. Depending on the severity of the stenosis, patients may be prescribed low-impact exercises to help improve the range of motion and relieve tension in the muscles. Improving flexibility is key to reducing pain and improving mobility.

Stretching

Stretching is an important component of chiropractic care and can help to reduce pain and improve overall spinal health. Stretches help to reduce tension in the muscles and can improve flexibility, making it easier to move and reducing pain.

Postural Correction

Spinal stenosis symptoms can be exacerbated by poor posture and improper alignment. Our chiropractors can provide postural correction to ensure that the spinal vertebrae are properly aligned and, in doing so, relieve nerve compression. Treatment for spinal stenosis in elderly patients can be especially beneficial when postural correction is included as part of the care plan.

Chiropractic care can help to reduce the pain and discomfort of spinal stenosis, improve your range of motion, reduce inflammation, and increase flexibility. By utilizing chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, rehabilitative exercises, stretching, and postural correction, Barham Chiropractic can help you find relief from spinal stenosis.

Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment for Spinal Stenosis

There are several anecdotal benefits we get told about by patients, but below are the 5 most common benefits of chiropractic treatment.

1. Natural, non-invasive treatment

Many times, treatments for spinal stenosis involve medications and even surgery. Chiropractic care is a natural, non-invasive option that helps to reduce pain without the use of potentially harmful drugs or surgery.

2. Improved overall health

Chiropractic care helps to improve spinal health. The interconnectedness of the spine and nervous system affects the entire body, so relieving nerve compression in the spine can help to improve overall health and well-being.

3. Reduced pain

When the spine is properly aligned and tension in the muscles is relieved, pain can be drastically reduced. Someone suffering from spinal stenosis may experience significant relief with chiropractic care.

4. Increased mobility

Relieving the pressure on nerves can lead to increased mobility and improved range of motion. Spinal stenosis can often lead to immobility, but chiropractic care can help to improve flexibility and reduce pain.

5. Improve spinal health

Chiropractic care can help to improve the overall health of the spine, leading to increased flexibility, improved posture and alignment, and decreased pain. When the spine is healthy, the body can function at its best.

Effectively treat your spinal stenosis

If you are suffering from spinal stenosis and looking for a natural, non-invasive treatment option, Barham Chiropractic is here to help. Our experienced team of chiropractors can provide the treatment you need to effectively and safely treat your spinal stenosis without using harmful drugs or the risks associated with surgery. Elderly patients, especially, are in a position to benefit from natural treatments for their spinal stenosis symptoms because they often cannot use certain medications or undergo surgery due to age-related issues. Barham Chiropractic can provide the treatment they need to get relief from their pain and improve overall health.

Contact us today to book an appointment and start your journey to improved spinal function and relief from spinal stenosis.

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