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Pain Management Modalities for Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a painful condition that occurs when the spaces within the spinal canal narrows, which puts pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. Generally, the condition develops when the spinal cord in the neck or the spinal nerve roots in the lower back get compressed, causing a number of pain symptoms. Leading multi-specialty pain management centers based in Brooklyn, NYC offer effective treatment modalities to address the immediate symptoms of spinal stenosis.

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Pain Management Modalities for Spinal Stenosis

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  1. Pain Management Modalities for Spinal Stenosis Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal column narrows and starts compressing the spinal cord. This article discusses the treatment options for this painful condition.

  2. Spinal stenosis is a painful condition that occurs when the spaces within the spinal canal narrows, which puts pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. Generally, the condition develops when the spinal cord in the neck or the spinal nerve roots in the lower back get compressed, causing a number of pain symptoms. Also called central spinal stenosis, the condition is most commonly caused by the wear- and-tear changes in the spine related to osteoarthritis. Other causes of this spinal disorder include thickened ligaments, overgrowth of bone, herniated disks, tumors and spinal injuries. Symptoms of the condition include pain, weakness or numbness which can occur in several areas – depending on the region of the spinal cord that is being compressed. Leading multi-specialty pain management centers based in Brooklyn, NYC offer effective treatment modalities to address the immediate symptoms of spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is classified into two different types based on which part of the spine the condition occurs. In cervical stenosis, the narrowing occurs in the part of the spine in your neck. Lumbar stenosis, on the other hand, is the most common form of spinal stenosis wherein the narrowing occurs in the part of the spine in the lower back. Common Symptoms Symptoms associated with this spinal condition typically progress over time, as nerves become more compressed. The location and severity of the condition determine the type of symptoms a person experiences. Common symptoms include – Weakness in a hand, arm, foot or leg Problems with walking and balance Pain, numbness, tingling, or cramping in the arms, foot or leg Tingling, numbness, or pain that radiates from the low back into the buttocks and legs Hot or cold feelings in the legs Bowel or bladder dysfunction (urinary urgency and incontinence, in severe cases) Neck pain or low back pain Diagnosis and Treatment To diagnose the condition, your physician will enquire about signs and symptoms you are experiencing, discuss your previous medical history, and carry out a detailed physical exam. Pain management doctors may also recommend imaging tests such as x-ray, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT myelogram to better understand the exact cause of your symptoms. A bone scan may also be done to look for damage or growths in the spine. Multispecialty healthcare centers offer full suite of nonsurgical treatment modalities for spinal stenosis-- physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation).

  3. ✓ ✓Physical therapy (PT) –Physical therapy improves strength and mobility and enhances joint function and range of motion. Therapeutic exercise programs like strengthening, stretching and range-of-motion exercises will help fix the muscles and reduce pain and discomfort. ✓ ✓Epidural Steroid Injections – Steroid medication (corticosteroid) injected into the space that surround the nerve roots (epidural space) can lower inflammation and acute pain. ✓ ✓TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) – TENS involves application of low voltage electrical simulation at different frequencies and pulse durations to manage chronic pain. ✓ ✓Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – Pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen (Aleve, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can temporarily ease pain and discomfort. In addition, tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and anti-seizure drugs, such as gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica) can reduce pain caused by damaged nerves. Spinal stenosis usually occurs in people who are over 60 years old, with degenerative changes in the spine appearing by age 50. Simple lifestyle changes that can help prevent this painful spinal disorder include: maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising on a regular basis, improving body posture, and practicing proper body mechanics, and avoiding activities that strain the back.

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