Spinal stenosis, or the abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal, occurs in close to 8% of people around the world. This common condition is often a cause of back pain in people over 50 and can have severe complications, but although spinal stenosis is usually the result of normal aging processes, that doesn’t mean you have to live with the symptoms. Treatment is available, and can provide relief both quickly and consistently.
JAG Physical Therapy is the tri-state area’s leading provider of PT for spinal conditions. Our specialist physical therapists and occupational therapists will work with you to create a custom treatment plan, caring for your condition with empathy and concern for your symptoms, lifestyle, and overall needs. The more you wait to have your spinal stenosis treated, the longer you will have to deal with the unabated symptoms; getting physical therapy as soon as you’re medically able to do so is your best option.
Spinal Stenosis Symptoms
Spinal stenosis is often tied to other conditions that affect the back, such as arthritis (both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), scoliosis, spondylolisthesis (displacement of the vertebrae), and others. Learn more about the symptoms of spinal stenosis below, or book an appointment with JAG PT to get your initial evaluation.
Lumbar Stenosis
The two most common types of spinal stenosis are lumbar and cervical – that is, affecting the lower back and the upper back and neck. For anatomical reasons, spinal stenosis in the thoracic vertebrae – in the mid-back – are less common. Lumbar stenosis typically causes pain that’s felt in the low back and buttocks, numbness or paresthesias (tingling or abnormal sensations) in the legs, thighs, and feet, or bladder and bowel incontinence, but overall has much less potential to be severe than cervical stenosis.
Cervical Stenosis
Cervical stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal within the neck. It is more dangerous than lumbar stenosis because it can potentially compress the top of the spinal cord, leading to possible major overall muscle weakness and even paralysis.
Sciatica
One potential cause of sciatica, or neural pain going from the lower back down through one leg, is lumbar stenosis. Sciatica is caused by pressure on one of the lumbar or sacral nerve roots, leading to a shooting pain across the entire course of the affected nerve as well as possible weakness and numbness. Spinal stenosis can also be implicated in other forms of radiculopathy, or pain caused by a pinched nerve.
Spinal Stenosis Diagnosis
A physical examination to look for sensory abnormalities, suppressed reflexes, numbness, or weakness can be helpful in initially identifying spinal stenosis. To confirm the diagnosis, an MRI is usually also given.
Spinal Stenosis Treatment in NJ, NY, and PA
JAG Physical Therapy specializes in using a variety of treatment methods to relieve the symptoms of spinal stenosis. Our spinal rehabilitation specialization focuses on reducing pain and increasing mobility for back conditions of all kinds. Other beneficial methods may include orthopedic rehabilitation such as hot and cold pack treatment, guided exercise and stretching, manual therapy to relieve neurological pain, and others, depending upon the custom treatment you and your physical therapists devise.
See a Physical Therapist to Treat Spinal Stenosis, Sciatica, and Radiculopathy
JAG PT has many convenient locations throughout the many regions of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. We’re always prepared to help you get past your symptoms of spinal stenosis – find your nearest JAG-NE PT clinic or book an appointment right away.