Spinal stenosis occurs when your spinal canal narrows and compresses nerve roots and your spinal cord. The multidisciplinary team of board-certified physicians at Boston PainCare, in Waltham, takes a patient-centered approach to managing pain from spinal stenosis. If you have chronic lower back (lumbar) pain or chronic neck (cervical) pain, it could be because of spinal stenosis. Get long-term relief from pain and other symptoms by calling our office today.
Spinal stenosis is a degenerative, wear-and-tear condition of the spine that causes the spaces within your spine to narrow. When your spine narrows, it puts pressure on the nerves that travel through your spine, causing pain and discomfort.
Typically, spinal stenosis affects your lumbar spine and your cervical spine, but you can get it in your upper (thoracic) spine, too.
It could be congenital, but more often than being born with a small spinal canal, spinal stenosis occurs as a result of:
Degenerative changes in your spine take place gradually, over time, and as a result of overuse or wear and tear. Consequently, most people with spinal stenosis are over 50 years old.
Treatment for your neck pain depends on the underlying causes. Your treatment plan may include physical therapies, minimally invasive injections, and cognitive behavioral therapy to help you cope with the pain. The team at Boston PainCare takes a whole-person approach to treating your pain, so they address physical and emotional symptoms.
When you’re dealing with chronic pain, it’s just as important to have a good coping strategy as it is to treat the physical symptoms. Your individual treatment plan for neck pain management includes all aspects of your pain, so you can live an improved quality of life.
Symptoms of spinal stenosis vary depending on which part of your spine is affected by the condition. If it affects your neck, you may experience:
If spinal stenosis affects your lower spine, you might experience:
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to seek medical treatment before symptoms get worse.
Your comprehensive treatment and pain management plan depends on the location of your stenosis and the severity of your symptoms. Your doctors at Boston PainCare work together as a team to help alleviate pain and improve function long term. Your spinal stenosis treatment plan may include:
Your pain management specialist takes a conservative approach at first, recommending noninvasive therapies and non-addictive medications. The goal of treatment is to reduce your pain and help you find positive ways to cope with it. Physical therapies can help you gain strength and mobility, so you’re better able to accomplish daily tasks without dependency on pain medications.
To learn more about treatment options for spinal stenosis, and to improve your overall health and well-being, call our office today.
