Did you know that over 80% of US adults experience significant back pain at least once in their lifetime? For some of them, a condition called spinal stenosis could be to blame.
Spinal stenosis develops when your spinal canal narrows and puts pressure on your nerves, causing pain and other unpleasant symptoms. While most people with the condition are over age 60, people of any age can develop spinal stenosis depending on their risk factors.
At Total Spine Institute, with offices in Calabasas and Sherman Oaks, California, our spine experts specialize in diagnosing and treating spinal stenosis. Our providers get to the root cause of your condition to create customized treatment plans.
We also know that prevention can be the best medicine, so our team put together this guide to the condition, including a collection of lifestyle changes that can help spinal stenosis from developing or getting worse.
Your lumbar spine, or lower back, is made up of five large vertebrae. Each of these vertebrae has two facet joints and a disc to help you move and keep your spinal cord protected.
Your spinal cord runs through a canal in the center of your vertebrae. This canal can narrow with age or because of other factors, like injury or trauma, giving your spinal cord less space and putting extra pressure on it and nearby nerves.
When this happens, you develop a condition called spinal stenosis. Early stage spinal stenosis may not trigger noticeable symptoms. However, spinal stenosis is a degenerative disease, meaning it gets worse over time.
As your spinal canal narrows further, most people develop problematic symptoms, including:
Though rare, spinal stenosis may cause incontinence or paralysis in the most severe cases. Seeking treatment early on can help slow the degeneration and keep you symptom-free.
Lifestyle changes can’t guarantee that you won’t get spinal stenosis, but taking action now to protect your spine gives you a greater chance of preventing the condition or slowing its progress if you’ve already been diagnosed.
Here’s a look at our top three lifestyle changes you can make to keep your spine healthy and prevent or delay conditions like spinal stenosis from developing:
When you’re overweight or obese, all parts of your spine experience added pressure and stress. Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent spinal stenosis and other back issues.
Regular exercise is a great way to keep your spine healthy. To prevent spinal stenosis, choose activities that develop the muscles that support your back, build your endurance, and help keep your spine flexible.
Gently stretching your spine keeps your body limber and gives you a better range of motion. If you have spinal stenosis, stretching can slow the progression and minimize symptoms like stiffness and pain.
Talk to your provider at Total Spine Institute for personalized stretching exercises tailored to meet your age, flexibility, and any health issues you may have. You can also begin with gentle yoga.
Good posture plays an important role in spine health. The muscles in your abdomen, back, hips, and pelvic floor (your core) stabilize your spine, keeping it aligned and decreasing stress on your bones and joints. When you have good posture, your spine is neutral, with the support of your body distributed equally.
The best way to learn about spinal stenosis and what you can do to prevent it is to speak with a spine expert like those at Total Spine Institute. Our providers create customized recommendations for protecting your spine’s health.
For patients with spinal stenosis, our team uses an integrated approach to treatment. Most patients benefit from a combination of medications, physical therapy, and activity modification.
If these more conservative measures aren’t enough to manage your symptoms, our team may recommend additional therapies, including:
To learn more about preventing spinal stenosis or to get started with treatment, schedule an appointment online or over the phone at the Total Spine Institute office that’s convenient to you.
