Lumbar spinal stenosis and its related back pain is widespread
and troubling for many. Dementia, neurogenic
claudication, reduced walking distance, poor balance, lessened
quality of life, and modified posture often accompany spinal
stenosis. Disc herniations, disc degeneration, and other spinal canal space intruders
invite spinal stenosis. At Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, Carrolltown spinal stenosis sufferers
who want to uninvite spinal stenosis have a partner by their side.
THE IMPACT OF LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS
Research continues to present lumbar
spinal stenosis as being linked to issues like dementia
development, walking capacity, and reduced quality of life. A recent
study reported that lumbar spinal stenosis was an independent risk
factor for acquiring dementia. Of 1220 patients, 10.8% of the
lumbar spinal stenosis patients had dementia compared to just 4.4% of the control group members. (1) Older
adults with lumbar spinal stenosis were described as altering
their posture with a forward bend to improve their ability and
tolerance for walking. Researchers who looked into this
phenomenon found that this posture was more of a forward shift of the pelvis during
walking and standing. They deduced
that limited walking in symptomatic spinal stenosis patients was more related to spine loading which increased 7%. (2) Whatever
it is linked to, reduced walking ability is
not beneficial. Someday it will be nice to understand more clearly the role of stenosis
in relationship to slowed walking, but for now,
Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation will continue to encourage walking for
spinal stenosis patients, slow and steady and distance furthered
as tolerated.
THE TREATMENT OF LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS: Walk
Since spinal stenosis is so common a condition in older
folks, many guidelines and articles are published
and with good reason. Reduced walking ability
and quality of life are documented side-effects of lumbar spinal
stenosis. These two issues remain the main
factors for back surgery in older sufferers.
Sadly, 40% of those who undergo spinal surgery for the lumbar spinal stenosis still
report walking issues post-surgery. (3) Recommendation 1 of a newer guideline for dealing with lumbar spinal stenosis and associated
neurogenic claudication encouraged non-surgical multimodal care
to include non-drug therapy with education, advice, lifestyle
changes, home exercise, manual therapy, acupuncture (trial), rehab, and therapy.
(4) An update to the 2013 Cochrane review of research studies regarding
the outcomes of treatments for lumbar spine stenosis related neurogenic
claudication that decreased the ability to walk found
that manual therapy and exercise to increase walking distance
together was a beneficial treatment approach.
Epidural steroids weren’t. (5) Conservative, non-surgical care
of Carrolltown spinal stenosis is endorsed by spine researchers and by
Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation.
CONTACT Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Nate McKee on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
describes the relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal
Pain Management for a patient with lumbar spinal stenosis and balance issues. Relief with Cox® Technic is described.
Make your Carrolltown chiropractic
appointment soon for increased walking and decreased
back pain due to Carrolltown lumbar spinal stenosis!