Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Different lower back conditions may show up with similar symptoms. If you are experiencing lower back pain, that moves down to your buttocks, thighs, and legs, you might assume a herniated disk.
However, those symptoms might be caused by the narrowing of your spine. This pain can hinder your daily activities, and limit your mobility.
Physical therapy is effective for providing relief to lower back spinal stenosis. It is important to contact a therapist as soon as you begin experiencing symptoms. Early treatment, ensures quicker recovery and eliminates the need for surgery.
Ready to relieve your back pain? Request an appointment with a therapist right now.
What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
Lumbar spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal at the lower back becomes narrow, resulting in the compression of the spinal nerves that travel down to the legs.
The narrowing of the spinal carnal happens gradually over time, so the condition is more likely to be seen in older patients from 50 years of age. It can affect younger patients though.
Lumbar spinal stenosis is one type of spinal stenosis. The other type is cervical stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal around the neck.
What Causes Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of spinal stenosis. Osteoarthritis is the gradual wear and tear of the cartilage surrounding the joints.
As you get older, osteoarthritis begins to cause changes to your spine. This happens when you’re around 50 years old and is more likely to occur in women than men.
Other factors that can cause lumbar spinal stenosis include:
Injury to the spine
Narrow spinal canal
Spinal tumor
Past surgery of the spine
Certain bone diseases
Rheumatoid arthritis
What are the Symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
Early lumbar spinal stenosis may not develop symptoms. However, as the condition progresses, you are likely to experience the following symptoms.
- Pain in the back
- Sharp and burning pain that goes through the lower back to the buttocks, thighs, and legs
- Numbness, cramping, tingling, or weakness in the legs
- A weakness in a foot that causes the foot to slap down when walking ("foot drop")
- Loss of feeling or sensation in the feet
- In rare cases, loss of normal bowel or bladder function, and loss of motor functioning of the legs
- Symptoms may improve when you bend forward, lie or sit down
How is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Diagnosed?
At Polygon PT, a physical therapist will examine your medical history, and perform a physical examination.
During the physical examination, your therapist will check out for symptoms of spinal stenosis which includes weakness, loss of sensation, and abnormal reflexes.
Your therapist will also examine your posture when you walk, sit or stand. Manual therapy can also be used to check for the mobility of the joints and muscles in your spine.
You will be required to undergo imaging tests with your doctor to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions. These tests include:
- X-ray
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan
- CT (Computerized Tomography) scan
How is
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treated?
Once a diagnosis has been made, your physical therapist will create a treatment plan for you customized to suit your needs. Your plan will likely include:
- Gentle movement around your lower back or leg to relieve the compressed nerves
- Range of motion and stretching exercises aimed at improving mobility in the joints and muscles of your spine and your extremities.
- Strengthening exercises to restore muscle strength and endurance
- Manual therapy involves deep massage to the affected area to release muscle tension and improve blood flow
- Education on posture correction to relieve pain when you stand, sit, or walk.
- Specialized equipment to reduce pressure on your spinal nerves.
When you begin physical therapy treatment early, you eliminate the need or risk for surgery.
Get Started With Physical Therapy for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Today
Symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis can range from mild to severe, affecting your daily life. If you have been experiencing symptoms of late, take action now. Request an appointment with a physical therapist, and get rid of your pain.
