The National Center for Health Statistics reports that 14 percent of all new visits to spine doctors are for lower back pain. About one in four back pain patients has a herniated disc.Cervical spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column, is another common cause of back pain.
Cervical spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal,leading to painful pinching of the spinal cord and or nerves in the spine. Degenerative spinal stenosis results from the aging process. Much less commonly, spinal stenosis can be congenital.It can occur anywhere in the spine including neck and upper back, mid back or lower back. Spinal stenosis treatment is typically a cervical fusion which is done by a spinal surgeon. Other alternatives are minimally invasive spine surgery, and oral muscle relaxers.
Cervical spinal stenosis can cause neck pain, shoulder and arm pain, arm numbness and tingling, difficulty walking due to balance problems, and arm or leg weakness.Non surgical spinal stenosis treatment is exercise and activity modification. With this spinal stenosis treatment, patients are usually counseled to avoid activities that cause adverse spinal stenosis symptoms. Patients are typically more comfortable while flexed forward. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is imperative that you consult your doctor for for diagnosis and possible spinal stenosis treatment.
Having neck surgery or lower back surgery is not just whether or not you are in pain.It is when the pain becomes persistent numbness or weakness that impacts your day to day quality of life. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek a doctors’ opinion immediately. Cervical spinal stenosis may require surgery, so it is imperative you take the proper precautions.