With age, comes experience, wisdom, and a long list of health complications. No matter how healthy we are, once we hit 60, the ability to ward off every illness in the book becomes less feasible. As our bones weaken and the probability of accidents increase, back problems such as spinal stenosis turn into a reality for many.

Affecting primarily the lumbar and cervical areas of the spine, spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal (which is composed of nerves and the spinal cord itself), begins to compress. While the narrowing itself does not cause extreme pain, the pressed nerve endings inflict discomfort. People afflicted with lumbar spinal stenosis are likely to experience pain and sometimes numbness in their back and legs. Symptoms are usually more intense with cervical spinal stenosis. This pain can occur in their arms, legs and even cause imbalance.

Spinal stenosis targets many older victims, as it is a medical condition that derives from weak bones or illnesses such as osteoarthritis. When we age, our bones begin to calcify and lose some of its cushion that protects the area. As a result, it becomes more difficult to move quickly and walk great distances. While some are born with it, women who are over 50 tend to be primary targets.If you suffer from painful spinal stenosis, it is advisable that you consider all options available to you. Surgery is usually not a popular method, especially with older patients. Nonetheless, there are many beneficial treatments which are non-invasive in nature that could reduce some of the pain.

Spinal decompression therapy, for example, is one treatment that is pain-free. It requires the patient to lay on a table hooked up to a harness and receive pressure to their spine. This pressure actually creates a vacuum effect, tugging the discs apart, allowing them to gain flexibility and stretch out. By decompressing this area, vital nutrients and blood supply re-enter, which allows the spine to heal. The result: pain and muscle spasms are reduced and mobility without the discomfort of the pain. Though people with herniated discs often experience a full recovery, those with spinal stenosis may only feel less pain, given that their bones are already degenerating. Even still, this makes a world of a difference. Most patients need to undergo 4-5 sessions per week for a minimum of twenty sessions.

In addition to spinal decompression therapy, those with spinal stenosis can also benefit from exercise. Depending on your flexibility, many would recommend Pilates, Yoga or perhaps a physical therapy driven routine. Exercise routine that works up your back pain is vital to the healing process. If you are still experiencing pain and discomfort, you may ask your doctor and seek advice on medications. While it’s true that cortisone shots reduces muscle spasms, it does not qualify as a long-term treatment. Whichever option you choose, there are a lot of treatments available for spinal stenosis. If we could reduce just some of the pain in our lives, living into our 100’s would certainly be a walk in the park.

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