Living with pain can be a challenge. Simple everyday activities such as sitting, standing and even walking can become difficult when you’re dealing with pain particularly from lumbar stenosis. Lumbar stenosis is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal which then presses the nerves. Symptoms of spinal stenosis include pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs, lower back and buttock area. Fortunately, certain treatment approaches can help relieve the symptoms of lumbar stenosis. Two of the best options are physiotherapy and chiropractic care. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what each of these treatments involves and how they can help you manage your symptoms and live a more comfortable life.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a type of treatment aimed at preventing and rehabilitating physical injuries and disabilities. Physiotherapists use non-surgical techniques to help individuals recover from the effect of lumbar stenosis. The goal of a physiotherapy treatment plan is to help alleviate the pain, improve range of motion, and increase strength. Treatment options include a range of physical exercises, stretches, and manual techniques.
Strengthening and conditioning exercises: The physiotherapy program aims at targeting the weak or tight areas of the muscles to ensure stability and strength in the lower back. Physiotherapists customizes the exercise routine to help patients build their core muscles, which provide support to the lumbar area.
Stretching and massage: Stretching exercises are used to help stretch the muscles, which can become tight due to a spinal stenosis condition. Massage therapy may also be used to help reduce discomfort and pain in the affected areas.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care can be an excellent alternative for treating lumbar spinal stenosis. Chiropractors can use various manual treatments to alleviate pain and improve mobility. Chiropractors target the spine’s misalignments or subluxations, reducing stress and pressure on the nervous system.
Spinal adjustments: Chiropractic care involves manual spinal adjustments to help realign the muscles and bones in the affected area. This approach aims to decreasing spinal nerve pain issues and related symptoms.
Muscle Tension Release: Tight muscles that have been strained and tight can lead to increased pressure on the spinal cord, causing bone and muscle discomfort. Soft-tissue work, supported by therapeutic exercises, can help alleviate the muscle tension and alleviate the pain.
Living with lumbar stenosis can be hard, but it is essential to keep moving and relieve symptoms. Both physiotherapy and chiropractic care treatments use non-invasive methods to help patients feel better without surgery. Each treatment method aims to strengthen the muscles and provide relief from pain, offering you the chance to enjoy daily activities and lead an active lifestyle. A combination of both programs can be a well-rounded approach to managing lumbar spinal stenosis’ related symptoms. Consider discussing with your doctor about it.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Nitin Nair, BPT, R/TRO DIP, PT, or another Kitchener physiotherapist at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
