If you’re suffering from spinal stenosis, a chiropractor can try to help you get to the root of the problem without resorting to medication or surgery. Here’s what you need to know about the condition and how a spinal stenosis chiropractor can help you find relief.
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis occurs when at least one of the spaces within your spine narrows, reducing the amount of room that your nerves have. This can put pressure on the nerves and cause symptoms such as:
- Pain and numbness in the back, neck, or legs
- Tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty with balance and stability
There are two main types of spinal stenosis: lumbar and cervical. Lumbar stenosis is the most common form and occurs when the spine narrows in the lower back. In cervical stenosis, the narrowing occurs in the neck.
What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
Although some people are born with a small spinal canal that can pressure their nerves and lead to spinal stenosis, the condition more commonly results from an external event.
Herniated disks
As you age, the rubbery disks between your spinal bones can dry out, allowing some of the inner material to escape and put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
Bone overgrowth
If you suffer from osteoarthritis, general wear and tear on the spinal bones can lead to bone spurs that grow into the spinal canal and put pressure on the nerves.
Thickened ligaments
The bones in your spinal cord consist of hard tissues that connect them to neighboring bones. Over time, this tissue can thicken and bulge into the spinal canal.
Tumors
Although uncommon, tumors can grow in the space between the spinal cord and vertebrae. These can be identified using an MRI or CT scan.
What Is Chiropractic Care for Spinal Stenosis?
Although you can take over-the-counter or prescription painkillers to help manage your symptoms, this is only a temporary solution and doesn’t get to the root of the problem. In addition, pain is only one of the symptoms of spinal stenosis. You can also suffer from tingling, numbness, or loss of balance, which can’t be treated with painkillers.
Chiropractic Care in Queens, New York
The good news is that a chiropractor can sometimes provide you with a more comprehensive treatment plan to bring you relief from your symptoms and determine the root cause of the problem. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive, holistic approach to healing the musculoskeletal system that aims to treat spinal stenosis by realigning herniated disks, which lessens the pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
In addition, chiropractic care for spinal stenosis involves using manual spinal chiropractic adjustment and physiotherapy to reduce pain and inflammation, leading to improved flexibility and spinal support.
Chiropractors in Queens, NY
Also, unlike medication, chiropractic care is a long-term solution and doesn’t come with harmful side effects of pharmaceutical drugs. At Chiropractic Approach, we’re committed to providing quality care to help alleviate painful symptoms and improve your quality of life. Call us today to learn more about our chiropractic services and treatment for spinal stenosis in Queens, NY. We accept some insurance plans, including no-fault and workers’ compensation insurance. Same-day appointments may be available.
