Lumbar spinal stenosis and its related back pain is common
and distressing for many. Dementia, neurogenic
claudication, reduced walking distance, poor balance, decreased
quality of life, and modified posture often accompany spinal
stenosis. Disc herniations, disc degeneration, and other spinal canal space invaders
invite spinal stenosis. At Chiropractic Care, West Palm Beach spinal stenosis sufferers
who want to uninvite spinal stenosis have a partner to
help.
THE IMPACT OF LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS
Research keeps presenting lumbar
spinal stenosis as being linked to issues like dementia
development, walking capacity, and reduced quality of life. A recent
study reported that lumbar spinal stenosis was an independent risk
factor for developing dementia. Of 1220 patients, 10.8% of the
lumbar spinal stenosis patients experienced dementia compared to just 4.4% of the control group members. (1) Older
adults with lumbar spinal stenosis were described as altering
their posture with a forward bend to enhance their ability and
tolerance for walking. Researchers who looked into this
phenomenon found that this posture was more of a forward shift of the pelvis while
walking and standing. They concluded
that limited walking in symptomatic spinal stenosis patients was more related to spine loading which rose 7%. (2) Whatever
it is related to, reduced walking ability is
not beneficial. Someday it will be nice to more fully
understand the part stenosis plays
in relationship to decreased walking, but for now,
Chiropractic Care will keep encouraging walking for
spinal stenosis patients, slow and steady and distance increased
as able.
THE TREATMENT OF LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS: Walk
Since spinal stenosis is so common a condition in older
folks, many guidelines and articles are published
and with good reason. Decreased walking ability
and quality of life are documented side-effects of lumbar spinal
stenosis. These 2 issues persist as the leading
factors for back surgery in older sufferers.
Sadly, 40% of those who undergo spinal surgery for the lumbar spinal stenosis still
report walking issues post-surgery. (3) Recommendation 1 of a more recent guideline for handling lumbar spinal stenosis and associated
neurogenic claudication encouraged non-surgical multimodal care
to include non-drug therapy with education, advice, lifestyle
changes, home exercise, manual therapy, acupuncture (trial), rehab, and therapy.
(4) An update to the 2013 Cochrane review of research reports regarding
the outcomes of treatments for lumbar spine stenosis related neurogenic
claudication that decreased walking found
that manual therapy and exercise to improve walking distance
together was an effective treatment method.
Epidural steroids weren’t. (5) Conservative, non-surgical care
of West Palm Beach spinal stenosis is recommended by spine researchers and by
Chiropractic Care.
CONTACT Chiropractic Care
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Nate McKee on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
describes the relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal
Pain Management for a patient with lumbar spinal stenosis and balance issues. Relief with Cox® Technic is described.
Make your West Palm Beach chiropractic
appointment now for improved walking and decreased
back pain due to West Palm Beach lumbar spinal stenosis!