It is estimated that as many as 80% of us will experience some form of back or neck pain at some point in our lifetimes.
Spinal stenosis can be one cause of back and neck pain. It affects your vertebrae (the bones of your back), narrowing the openings within those bones where the spinal cord and nerves pass through.
What is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing within the vertebrae of the spinal column that results in too much pressure on the spinal cord (central stenosis) or nerves (lateral stenosis). Spinal stenosis may occur in the neck or in the low back.
It’s estimated that up to 500,000 U.S. adults live with symptoms of spinal stenosis. Some of these symptoms include back or neck pain, numbness and muscle weakness.
There are several options that can help treat this issue, and physical therapy is one of the most beneficial treatments for spinal stenosis.
A personalized spinal stenosis physical therapy plan can offer these two benefits
Surgery is one treatment option for spinal stenosis. However, it can lead to complications and be tough on the body even if everything goes well. Physical therapy is a much less invasive option for treating spinal stenosis, and it can be very effective.
In fact, one medical study reports that physical therapy is just as effective as spinal stenosis surgery, and it also has a lower risk of complications. Physical therapy can also offer two specific benefits for this back condition:
Reducing pain
Spinal stenosis can cause several different types of pain. It can lead to the dull ache of misaligned or weakened muscles. This issue can also cause shooting or burning pains in the neck or back because of pinched nerves. Physical therapy can be helpful for reducing the pain this condition can cause. Researchers from one study report that patients who used a therapeutic exercise program had an almost two-point drop in their pain scores immediately afterward.
Improving function
This issue also makes it harder for your back or neck to function normally. In extreme cases, it can also affect the function of the arms or legs. Studies show that physical therapy can help improve function in patients with this condition. A therapy method called the Graston Technique® has been shown to be especially effective. One study of its use for spinal stenosis shows that patients’ disability scores decreased by seven points after one week of treatment.
Find effective spinal stenosis physical therapy at Health Plus Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, Edison, NJ
Struggling to find effective spinal stenosis physical therapy? Our Health Plus PT team can help. We offer free screenings intended to reveal how spinal stenosis is affecting your body. Our team can then build you a personalized therapy plan designed to counteract these effects. We also offer virtual care sessions and at-home therapy appointments, and you can use any of our services without going through the hassle of getting a doctor’s referral.
Take the next step to start getting our help with your spinal stenosis. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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