Do You Have Spinal Stenosis?
By Sara Butler
As you grow older, there are many parts of your body that may not work as well as they used to. In fact, some parts of your body may go through a process of degeneration that can be extra challenging when it comes to your comfort and function. Your spine can go through a process of degeneration where the spinal canal begins to narrow. This is called spinal stenosis. Here are a few signs that you might have spinal stenosis and how the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic can help.
Sporadic Back Pain
When you have spinal stenosis, the spinal canal that houses your spinal cord in your spine narrows. This puts pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves that branch off from the spine to other parts of your body. One indication you may have spinal stenosis is back pain that tends to come and go because of the pressure on the nerves. You may experience pain that ranges from mild to intense or have no pain at all. That's why it's important to let your chiropractor know about any back pain you experience.
Sciatica-Like Pain
If you're experiencing spinal stenosis in your lower spine, then you may also experience symptoms of sciatica. This is when pain radiates from your lower back across your hips and down one or both legs. You may also experience numbness and tingling which you think is sciatica -- but the root cause may really be spinal stenosis.
Pain Changes With Position
When you have spinal stenosis, there are certain positions that can relieve your pain and certain positions that can make it worse. For example, lying down may make the pain go away almost instantaneously while standing up can cause it to flare. Make sure to let the chiropractor know if your positioning has an impact on your pain.
Cramps in the Legs
Pain and muscle cramps in the legs are another sign of spinal stenosis. Cramping after standing up for long stretches is a sign you shouldn't ignore and should bring to the attention of the chiropractor.
If you're worried about spinal stenosis, then talk to the chiropractors at The Joint today. They can assess whether you're at risk and determine the best options for you to move forward in treatment.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.