You Don’t Have to Live with Stenosis

You Don’t Have to Live with Stenosis 

Lower back pain comes in various forms, and one prevalent type is stenosis, derived from the Latin term for narrowing. Also known as arthritis, degenerative disc disease, or disc space narrowing, stenosis involves the narrowing of the bony hole from which the nerves in the spine emerge. In this article, we'll explore what stenosis is, its natural aging process implications, and effective ways to identify and manage this condition without resorting to drastic measures.

Understanding Stenosis: Stenosis involves the narrowing of the bony hole through which spinal nerves pass. As part of the natural aging process, factors like disc dehydration and changes in disc consistency contribute to the narrowing of this space. It's important to note that the hole from which nerves emerge is not a fixed structure; instead, it's formed by two dynamic half circles that come together. Movement influences the diameter of this hole and understanding how to make it bigger or smaller is crucial in managing stenosis.

Identifying Stenosis: Contrary to the belief that stenosis is untreatable, physical therapists know that it is most definitely treatable. It's essential to recognize that movement significantly influences the diameter of the nerve hole. By identifying specific motions, individuals can either relieve or exacerbate stenosis symptoms. Common symptoms include localized pain on one side of the lower back, with little to no pain radiating down the leg. The clinical predictor tool, developed fifteen years ago, is a powerful diagnostic tool, indicating a 97% likelihood of stenosis if an individual is over 55, experiences pain when standing and walking, and finds relief with sitting.

Managing Stenosis: Addressing stenosis involves a two-fold approach. First, focusing on motions that contribute to the narrowing of the hole is crucial for relieving dysfunction and improving overall motion. Simultaneously, interventions can be applied to open up the narrowed hole, providing immediate relief from symptoms. Therefore, stenosis is highly treatable, and individuals can experience relief without resorting to drastic measures like spinal fusion.

Challenges with Spinal Fusion: While spinal fusion is a common approach for treating stenosis, statistics reveal a success rate of only 50% after two years. The key issue lies in the fact that limiting motion at one segment puts additional stress on the segments above and below, potentially leading to more stenosis. Fusion is not the ultimate answer; instead, a holistic approach that considers other areas of the body and identifies the root cause of hole narrowing is crucial for long-term relief.

Stenosis may be a common cause of lower back pain, but it is far from untreatable. By understanding the dynamic nature of the nerve hole, identifying contributing motions, and adopting a comprehensive approach to address the underlying causes, individuals can experience significant relief without the need for invasive procedures like spinal fusion.

Treatment by a competent functional movement physical therapist will not only improve your back health, but will make you stronger, more flexible, and give you improved balance.

Read more about healing stenosis: Spinal Stenosis Therapy | Superior Physical Therapy

Check out these exercises that will help you self-heal your back pain: https://youtu.be/UpnnioE5EvY?si=b1a5m-ShlhrxUbDC