Spinal Stenosis in Greater Boston
Spinal stenosis occurs when your spinal canal narrows and compresses nerve roots and your spinal cord. The multidisciplinary team of board-certified physicians at Boston Advanced Medicine, in Waltham, takes a patient-centered approach to managing pain from spinal stenosis. If you have chronic lower back (lumbar) pain or chronic neck (cervical) pain, it could be because of spinal stenosis. Get long-term relief from pain and other symptoms by calling our office today.
Spinal Stenosis Q & A
What is spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a degenerative, wear-and-tear condition of the spine that causes the spaces within your spine to narrow. When your spine narrows, it puts pressure on the nerves that travel through your spine, causing pain and discomfort.
Typically, spinal stenosis affects your lumbar spine and your cervical spine, but you can get it in your upper (thoracic) spine, too.
What causes spinal stenosis?
It could be congenital, but more often than being born with a small spinal canal, spinal stenosis occurs as a result of:
- Herniated discs
- Bone spurs from osteoarthritis
- Thickened ligaments in your spine
- Spinal injuries that fracture or dislocate discs
Degenerative changes in your spine take place gradually, over time, and as a result of overuse or wear and tear. Consequently, most people with spinal stenosis are over 50 years old.
What neck pain treatments are available?
Treatment for your neck pain depends on the underlying causes. Your treatment plan may include physical therapies, minimally invasive injections, and cognitive behavioral therapy to help you cope with the pain. The team at Boston Advanced Medicine takes a whole-person approach to treating your pain, so they address physical and emotional symptoms.
When you’re dealing with chronic pain, it’s just as important to have a good coping strategy as it is to treat the physical symptoms. Your individual treatment plan for neck pain management includes all aspects of your pain, so you can live an improved quality of life.
What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?
Symptoms of spinal stenosis vary depending on which part of your spine is affected by the condition. If it affects your neck, you may experience:
- Neck pain
- Numbness or tingling in your arm, hand, or leg
- Difficulty walking or balancing
If spinal stenosis affects your lower spine, you might experience:
- Low back pain
- Weakness in your leg or foot
- Tingling and numbness in one leg
- Pain or cramping in your legs after standing or walking for a long time
- Pain that decreases when you sit down or bend forward
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to seek medical treatment before symptoms get worse.
How do you treat spinal stenosis?
Your comprehensive treatment and pain management plan depends on the location of your stenosis and the severity of your symptoms. Your doctors at Boston Advanced Medicine work together as a team to help alleviate pain and improve function long term. Your spinal stenosis treatment plan may include:
- Short-term pain-relief medications
- Physical therapies
- Steroid injections
- Chiropractic care
- Decompression procedures
- Spinal fusion
Your pain management specialist takes a conservative approach at first, recommending noninvasive therapies and non-addictive medications. The goal of treatment is to reduce your pain and help you find positive ways to cope with it. Physical therapies can help you gain strength and mobility, so you’re better able to accomplish daily tasks without dependency on pain medications.
To learn more about treatment options for spinal stenosis, and to improve your overall health and well-being, call our office today.
