Exercises which flex, stretch or strengthen the back and neck can help to open up the spine, alleviating compression symptoms. Canes and walkers can also be used to walk in a forward flexed manner and provide some stability.
Flare ups may be caused by muscle spasms, which can be caused by bending or twisting suddenly. They may be caused by an additional problem such as a slipped disc. Some patients may just reach a tipping point where their stenosis becomes symptomatic without any identifiable cause or event.
How Long Does Lumbar Stenosis Take to Heal? The amount of time needed to fully recover from lumbar stenosis will differ depending on the patient and the treatment plan. However, generally speaking, most patients recover from spinal stenosis within six months to a year of beginning treatment.
Physical therapy can help.
The first course of treatment for spinal stenosis is physical therapy along with pain and anti-inflammatory medication. "In physical therapy, we work on improving mobility and strengthening the core (to support the back)," said Dr. Hennenhoefer.
Acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (eg, Motrin, Advil), and naproxen (eg, Aleve) are examples of OTC analgesics that your doctor may recommend for spinal stenosis.
In spinal stenosis, people typically experience less pain with leaning forward, and especially with sitting. Studies of the lumbar spine show that leaning forward can increase the space available for the nerves. Pain is usually made worse by standing up straight and walking.
Spinal stenosis symptoms tend to worsen the more you walk without treating it since the leading cause is a contraction of the spinal cord, which irritates the leg nerves.
If your stenosis symptoms don't respond to home remedies or conservative treatment, or if the condition is so painful or debilitating that it affects your daily life, then you likely have severe spinal stenosis.
Red-flag signs and symptoms of spinal stenosis
Rarely, severe spinal stenosis may cause red-flag symptoms, such as bowel and/or bladder incontinence, numbness in the inner thighs and genital area, and/or severe weakness in both legs.
The latest lumbar spinal stenosis treatment has been referred to with many different names, including non-fusion implant and dynamic stabilization system, among others. These names all refer to devices that are used in place of spinal fusion to provide stability and symptom relief.
If you have lumbar spinal stenosis, you may have trouble walking distances or find that you need to lean forward to relieve pressure on your lower back. You may also have pain or numbness in your legs. In more severe cases, you may have difficulty controlling your bowel and bladder.
Spinal Stenosis
With this condition, it may be preferable to sleep on the sides with the knees curled up (in the fetal position). This helps relieve pressure on the nerve root. Sleeping in a reclining chair or an adjustable bed that allows the head and knees to remain elevated can also relieve pressure on the nerve.
Pain medications may be helpful with relieving spinal stenosis-related back pain, depending on what type of medication it is. Many over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen work well, but there are prescription medications as well, such as Voltaren (diclofenac) and Naproxin (naproxen).
Contact sports like basketball, football, soccer, and martial arts are exercises to avoid with spinal stenosis. These activities can involve sudden trauma to the spine, which may lead to further injury. Activities that involve jumping, such as jumping rope, should be avoided with spinal stenosis.
Lying down or bending backwards also can make their symptoms worse. People can have difficulty sleeping in bed and resort to sleeping in their recliner in a partial sitting position. In severe cases people can develop problems with bladder control. Some people also experience back pain but many do not.
Many people with spinal stenosis find the most comfort sleeping on their side in “fetal position” — that is, with knees curled up toward the abdomen. Another alternative is to sleep in an adjustable bed or recliner that allows the head and knees to remain elevated.
Nutrition and Spinal Stenosis
In general, staying hydrated, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, not smoking, and minimizing red meat, caffeine and alcohol are good dietary guidelines.
The best muscle relaxer for spinal stenosis can vary from patient to patient. However, the best options include baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, and methocarbamol. Baclofen is an antispastic drug that's widely used to treat muscle spasms in spinal cord conditions, including lumbar spinal stenosis.
Therapies and Lifestyle Changes
Heat can reduce muscle tension and tightness. Exercise: Whether under the direction of a physical therapist or simply trying to increase the number of steps you take each day, exercise can strengthen the muscles around your spine and improve your flexibility.
Common muscle relaxants include Flexeril, Soma, Baclofen, Robaxin, and Tizanidine. Nerve membrane stabilizers are another class of medications often used to treat the numbness, tingling, shooting, stabbing, or radiating pain associated with spinal stenosis.
These four stages are the Dysfunction Stage, the Dehydration Stage, the Stabilization Stage, and the Collapsing Stage.
Spine-Related Red Flag Warning Signs
But if you develop any of the following emergency signs, you should see a doctor immediately: Loss of bowel and/or bladder function. Worsening or disabling spine pain in the neck, mid back, or low back. Arm and/or leg weakness, pain, numbness, or tingling.