Lumbar spinal stenosis and its related back pain is common
and troubling for its sufferers. Dementia, neurogenic
claudication, decreased 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 Apple Country Chiropractic, Williamson spinal stenosis patients
who want to uninvite spinal stenosis have a partner to
help.
THE IMPACT OF LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS
Research continues to present lumbar
spinal stenosis as being linked to conditions like dementia
development, walking capacity, and reduced quality of life. A new
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 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 concluded
that limited walking in symptomatic spinal stenosis patients was more associated
with spine loading which rose 7%. (2) Whatever
it is related to, reduced walking ability isn’t beneficial. Someday it will be nice to understand more clearly the role of stenosis
in relationship to inhibited walking, but for now,
Apple Country Chiropractic 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 published
and with good reason. Reduced ability to walk
and quality of life are documented side-effects of lumbar spinal
stenosis. These 2 issues remain the leading
indicators for back surgery in older patients.
Sadly, 40% of those who undergo spinal surgery for the lumbar spinal stenosis still
report difficulty with walking after
surgery. (3) Recommendation 1 of a newer guideline for dealing with lumbar spinal stenosis and related
neurogenic claudication suggested 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 on
the outcomes of treatments for lumbar spine stenosis related neurogenic
claudication that decreased walking found
that manual therapy and exercise to increase walking distance
together was a beneficial treatment approach.
Epidural steroids were not. (5) Conservative, non-surgical care
of Williamson spinal stenosis is recommended by spine researchers and by
Apple Country Chiropractic.
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
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 Williamson chiropractic
appointment soon for improved walking and decreased
back pain due to Williamson lumbar spinal stenosis!