Lumbar spinal stenosis and its related back pain is widespread
and distressing for many. Dementia, neurogenic
claudication, reduced walking distance, poor balance, reduced
quality of life, and altered posture often accompany spinal
stenosis. Disc herniations, disc degeneration, and other spinal canal space intruders
invite spinal stenosis. At Spinal Care Clinic, Burlington and Hamilton 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 developing dementia. Of 1220 patients, 10.8% of the
lumbar spinal stenosis patients experienced dementia as
opposed to only 4.4% of the control group members. (1) Older
adults with lumbar spinal stenosis were portrayed as modifying
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 associated
with spine loading which rose 7%. (2) Whatever
it is linked to, reduced walking ability isn’t beneficial. Someday it will be nice to more fully
understand the role of stenosis
in relationship to inhibited walking, but for now,
Spinal Care Clinic will keep encouraging 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 issued
and with good reason. Decreased ability to walk
and quality of life are documented side-effects of lumbar spinal
stenosis. These two issues remain the leading
indicators for back surgery in older sufferers.
Sadly, 40% of those who undergo spinal surgery for the lumbar spinal stenosis still
state walking issues post-surgery. (3) Recommendation 1 of a more recent guideline for dealing with lumbar spinal stenosis and related
neurogenic claudication suggested non-surgical multimodal care
to consist of 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 reduced walking revealed
that manual therapy and exercise to improve walking distance
together was a beneficial treatment method.
Epidural steroids were not. (5) Conservative, non-surgical care
of Burlington and Hamilton spinal stenosis is recommended by spine researchers and by
Spinal Care Clinic.
CONTACT Spinal Care Clinic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Nate McKee on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
illustrates 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 Burlington and Hamilton chiropractic
appointment now for improved walking and decreased
back pain due to Burlington and Hamilton lumbar spinal stenosis!