Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis
WHAT IS SPINAL STENOSIS?
Spinal stenosis is a painful and debilitating condition, whose symptoms, if left untreated, typically worsen over time. Caused by pressure created when the passageway through which the spinal cord travels begins to narrow and compress highly sensitive spinal nerves, spinal stenosis is frequently treated with prescription drugs and surgery. Fortunately, however, there are many safe and natural methods of treatment available which also have proven effective in reducing the severe pain and impaired mobility experienced with spinal stenosis.
What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis may be caused by any number of factors.
Most Common among these are:
- Arthritis
- Bone Spurs within the spinal canal
- Ligament Hypertrophy – a condition in which toughened ligaments pull the spine closer together.
- Habitual dysfunctional motion exerting abnormal stress on the spine
- Spinal Degeneration and decrease in disc height
Other causes of spinal stenosis may include:
- Slipped or fractured vertebrae
- Trauma related injuries
- Tumors on the spine
- Heredity may also be a factor among people who have inherited an abnormally narrow spinal canal and who are subsequently more susceptible or predisposed to developing spinal stenosis, particularly at an earlier age.
- In some instances, the discs that cushion the space between the vertebrae may also begin to deteriorate leading to a decrease in disc height, disc bulge or disc herniation. Important Note: Although disc herniation causes acute spinal stenosis, these cases are referred to by the primary factor causing the spinal stenosis – disc herniation. For more information on disc herniation, please refer to our separate article on disc injury.
Most of the cases of spinal stenosis we see at Ravenswood Chiropractic and Wellness are due to spinal degeneration, disc injuries, and habitual dysfunction.
What are the Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis may occur at anytime and anywhere in the spine, at either a single location or multiple locations. It exhibits virtually no symptoms at its onset. However, as the narrowing of the spinal passageway becomes acute and significant pressure begins to bear down on the spinal cord or spinal nerves, symptoms become increasingly apparent and progressively severe. There are two types of spinal stenosis which can occur at three locations. Each has its own set of signifiers.
Central stenosis occurs when the central spinal canal narrows and the spinal cord becomes compressed.
Patients suffering central stenosis may experience:
- Pain, weakness and muscle spasms bilaterally – in both arms and in both legs, depending on where and how much pressure is exerted on the spinal cord.
- Walking usually becomes increasingly painful and more difficult for those with central stenosis.
- Sufferers often find they need to lean over something, like a shopping cart, to relieve pain while walking. This particular symptom is known as “the shopping cart sign.” This pattern is one of the more recognizable signs of lumbar spinal stenosis and helps differentiate it from other types of back or nerve-related pain.
Lateral stenosis occurs when the spinal nerves become compressed as they exit the spinal foramen.
Patients suffering lateral stenosis often experience:
- Pain, weakness or muscle spasms unilaterally – on one side – in an arm (often shoulder blade to finger), or leg (often hip or thigh to toes).
- Weakness or muscle spasms unilaterally – on one side- in an arm (often shoulder blade to finger), or leg (often hip or thigh to toes).
Location of Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar Stenosis | Cervical Stenosis | Thoracic Stenosis
Lumbar Stenosis | Cervical Stenosis | Thoracic Stenosis
Lumbar stenosis occurs in the lower back.
It is the type of spinal stenosis we see most at Ravenswood Chiropractic and Wellness.
Cervical stenosis affects the neck.
It is the second most commonly seen form of stenosis.
Thoracic stenosis
Perhaps the least commonly seen form of spinal stenosis, which affects the upper back.
How is Spinal Stenosis Diagnosed?
Spinal stenosis should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional who specializes in spinal pain. A chiropractic physician is an excellent choice for the required examination. A chiropractor can accurately diagnose spinal stenosis and provide a viable course of personalized treatment to help relieve painful symptoms. In some cases, an X-ray or MRI may be necessary for providing a definitive determination as to which form of stenosis needs to be addressed.
Important Note Regarding Imaging: Patients exhibiting spinal stenosis through imaging processes may not exhibit any symptoms, and the degree of narrowing of the spinal canal may not necessarily correlate with the degree of the symptoms being present.
How is Spinal Stenosis treated?
Patients diagnosed with spinal stenosis should consider a variety of issues before deciding on a course of treatment. These include one’s current quality of life and degree of pain, the type, cause and extent of stenosis and the presence of other symptoms currently being experienced, as well as, any additional coexisting health issues.
Consider a paper published (2010) in the Journal of The American Medical Association: “Diagnosis and Management of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis” which concluded….
“Contrary to commonly held perceptions, available evidence suggests that spinal stenosis is a stable disorder. Patients who develop serious disability and neurological deficit usually do so over time, and the decline is not predicted by pain levels or imaging abnormalities. Accordingly, treatment choices should be based on current pain and disability, not on anticipation of future pain or complications.”
Physical Medicine | Conservative Care Options
Here at Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness Center, we provide pain reducing treatment options that address the causes of spinal stenosis. We share a widely held belief that conservative management for indicated patients should be a first line therapy for spinal stenosis. We are experts at diagnosing and treating spinal stenosis due to disc bulge, disc herniation, habitual dysfunction, spinal degeneration and ligament hypertrophy, and we can help relieve pain due to stenosis caused by arthritis. Our Physical Medicine options offer safe and effective alternatives to prescription drugs and surgery for many patients.
Our Spinal Stenosis Treatment Plan Basics Include the Following Goals:
1) Create more space for the nerves and spinal fluid to “live and breathe”
2) Reduce pain and restore activities of daily living
3) Fix the dysfunction that is causing the degeneration and slow the degenerative process to help prevent further damage
Chiropractic for Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis reflects a combination of changes involving the joints, discs, and surrounding tissues that can influence how much space is available for the nerves.
Chiropractic care is used with the goal of improving how the spine is moving and how mechanical stress is distributed across these structures.
Rather than focusing on a single area, care is directed toward areas of the spine that are contributing to stiffness, altered movement, or increased load. When appropriate, gentle adjustments may help improve joint motion and reduce mechanical strain, which can influence how symptoms present.
In people with spinal stenosis, the approach is typically more conservative and adapted to how symptoms behave. Techniques are selected carefully, especially when symptoms are aggravated by certain positions or movements.
Chiropractic care is not used in isolation. It is often combined with other approaches such as physical therapy, Class IV laser therapy, or non-surgical spinal decompression depending on what is contributing to the overall pattern.
The goal is not to “fix” the stenosis itself, but to help improve movement, reduce irritation, and support better function over time.
Physical Therapy for Spinal Stenosis in Chicago
Physical therapy provides another safe and effective treatment option for spinal stenosis sufferers. An appropriate personalized exercise plan will be designed for you using information gained through an initial in-depth evaluation of your condition. This plan will be aimed at achieving an individualized set of desired end-goals. It will likely consist of stretching and other exercises designed to increase your range of motion, as well as, strengthening exercises that are easily done at home and may aid in further reducing strain and pain at targeted areas. Learning proper exercise techniques from our knowledgeable staff will help maximize results.
Other types of therapies such as heat, ice, or ultrasound, which can increase circulation and reduce inflammation, may also be utilized.
Get Help for your Spinal Stenosis Today!
Spinal stenosis is a common painful condition, but luckily there are plenty of treatment options available. Why not start with natural non-invasive treatments?
If you are suffering from lower back pain and believe you may have some form of spinal stenosis, please call Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness Center, Chicago at 773.878.7330 to set up your initial consultation appointment and start down the path toward relief!
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Stenosis
What does spinal stenosis usually feel like?
It often involves leg fatigue, heaviness, or discomfort with walking or standing, sometimes improving when bending forward or sitting.
Why does walking make spinal stenosis worse?
Standing upright can increase pressure on already narrowed spaces in the spine, which may affect nearby nerves.
What is the shopping cart sign?
This refers to relief of symptoms when leaning forward, such as over a shopping cart, which can temporarily reduce pressure on spinal nerves.
Does spinal stenosis always get worse over time?
Not necessarily. Symptoms can remain stable or fluctuate depending on activity, movement patterns, and overall spine function.
Can spinal stenosis be treated without surgery?
Many cases can be managed with conservative care focused on improving movement, reducing irritation, and supporting function.
What’s the difference between lumbar and cervical stenosis?
Lumbar stenosis typically affects the legs and walking tolerance, while cervical stenosis may affect the arms, coordination, or balance.
References and Additional Information
i deSchepper MD. MS., Evelien I. T. et al. Diagnosis of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Spine 2013; volume 38, Number 8, pp E469-E481.
ii Atlas MD, MPH, Steven J. et al. Long-Term Outcomes of Surgical and Nonsurgical Management of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: 8 to 10 Year Results from the Main Lumbar Spine Study Spine 2005; volume 30, Number 8, pp 936-943
iii Haig, Andrew J., Tomkins, Christy C., Diagnosis and Management of Lumbar Stenosis JAMA; 2010; 303(1): 71-72
iv Wu-A-M, Zhou et al. Interspinous Spacer versus Traditional Decompressive Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS One 2014; e97142
Inoue M, Hojo T, Yano T, Katsumi Y., (2005), Effects of lumbar acupuncture stimulation on blood flow to the sciatic nerve trunk – an exploratory study, Acupunct Med. 2005 Dec; 23(4): 166-70.
Inoue M, Hojo T, Nakajima M, Kitakoji H, Itoi M, Katsumi Y., (2008), Pudendal nerve electroacupuncture for lumbar spinal canal stenosis – a case series, Acupuncture Med. 2008 Sep; 26(3):140-4.
Keller, Glenda. The Effects of Massage Therapy after Decompression and Fusion Surgery of the Lumbar Spine: a Case Study. Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2012; 5(4): 3-8.
