Physical Therapy For Spinal Stenosis

Spinal Stenosis (SS) is a condition where the space in the backbone gets narrower and puts pressure on the spinal cord inside it. When the compression happens in lower back it is called Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) and when it happens in the neck area it is called Cervical Spinal Stenosis (CSS). The compression results in numbness, weakness, or pain. The pain varies from mild to unbearable.

 

Both Lumbar and Cervical Spinal Stenosis are commonly found in senior citizens. While the narrowing of the spinal space is commonly attributed to aging, younger people can also suffer Spinal Stenosis when they get injured on the spine or were born with narrow spinal canal.

How Is Spinal Stenosis Treated?

Treatments available for this disorder include activity modifications, epidural injections, medication, and physical therapy. You also have the option of surgery, which has high rate of successful outcome.

Recent research has shown that physical therapy for spinal stenosis is as effective as surgery. It is a great relieve for many people who are suffering from this disorder but cannot opt for the surgery for various reasons. 

If you are interested in such therapy, please note that so far the therapy was proven effective for lumbar spinal stenosis only. Further research is required to discover physical therapy effectiveness for Cervical Spinal Stenosis. So far, the best treatment for it is the surgery.

You also need to note that the therapy will take some time. It will last for 12 sessions and you need to be patient in following each and every session. Skipping on your treatment will result in delayed recovery.

In those 12 sessions of therapy, patients will undergo several types of exercises such as the lumbar flexion exercises, general conditioning exercise, lower extremity strengthening exercises, and lower-extremity flexibility exercises.

Patients will also undergo an education where they will learn how to avoid hyperextensions of the lumber spine. This education is important to prevent further aggravation to the spinal cord, which may worsen the symptoms and hinder recovery.

Considering that surgery is an expensive treatment, especially for those without health insurance, health care providers should disclose the efficacy of physical therapy as LSS treatment especially in the long term. While having high rate of successful outcome, surgery also poses high risk. It is irresponsible for health care providers to not offer physical therapy as an alternative treatment for LSS.

Will It Work For Everyone?

While physical therapy for spinal stenosis has been proven effective in the aforementioned study, it may not be fit for everyone. Try not to overlook other treatments such as anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxers medication. Each treatment has its own risks and benefits. You need to weigh both to understand if one treatment is better for you compared to the alternatives.

So, if you or your loved one is suffering from Spinal Stenosis please consult your doctor as well as orthopedic surgeon and discuss all possible treatments. Even when you have set your mind on going with a physical therapy you should still listen to your doctor’s opinion on the mater. You may have the final say listening to what your doctor have to say is no less courteous.

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