Is Spinal Stenosis a familiar term to you? Stenosis of the spine is a condition that comprises both the nerves and the bony structure of the spine. The bony structure or commonly known as the vertebrae are the ones that provide structure for the body and protects the spinal cord. This vertebra provides support for the chest and abdomen which allowed flexibility for you to be able to twist around or bend.
The spinal cord passes through the spinal canal from the head to the lower back. Whenever the spinal canal is narrowed or blocked, you have a condition called stenosis of the spine.
There are different kinds of spinal stenosis. There is the Cervical Spinal Stenosis which involves the neck and the cord or spinal nerves. If the spinal nerves are involved then you will feel the following symptoms which include numbness, tingling sensation or weakness of the neck, shoulders or arms and of course pain. If it is the cord that is involved then it might affect your legs.
Next is the Thoracic Stenosis. This condition is quite rare since there is less bend in the thoracic spine thus less strain in the joints between vertebrae.
Lumbar stenosis is common condition and it involves the lower back. This causes pain in the lower back as well as cause weakness in one or both legs.
Spinal Stenosis can be inborn or it can be caused by an injury, medical conditions or changes in the body due to aging. If it is in its early stages doctor usually prescribed anti inflammatory medications, recommends exercise and any other medical measure to take care of the pain. If the condition is too severed then a patient has the option for surgery or the non surgical method of Spinal decompression therapy to relieve pressure on the nerves. This therapy is done through the use of spinal decompression machines which effectively treats various spinal conditions.
This procedure is the most popular today in treating various Spinal problems. Check with your doctor and discuss whether it is just fine for you to undergo such procedure. It is definitely much safer, cost effective and certainly effective in treating this condition.