cure back pain

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis is one of the most common locations for this spinal condition to occur. Spinal stenosis is a condition that is the source of much debate in the medical community. Some healthcare practitioners view it as a primary source of acute and chronic back pain, while others see it as a normal and mostly asymptomatic part of the aging process. Millions of patients are diagnosed with stenosis related pain every year,

although many are actually suffering from symptoms brought about due to a completely different causation.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Info

The lumbar spine is the area also known as the lower or low back. Stenosis is a condition which describes a narrowing of the spinal canal. The spinal canal is the hollow passageway that contains the spinal cord and nerves. This canal is surrounded by the spine which offers structure and protection for the delicate nerve tissue.

Spinal Stenosis is common for people to experience as they get older. Most elder patients will demonstrate evidence of stenosis on an MRI or CT scan, yet have no pain or symptoms as a result of the condition. Occasionally patients will suffer pain from stenosis and rarely, this pain can become severe.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Symptoms

Stenosis is usually a pain free condition. Some patients experience pain in the lower back and often radiating into the legs or feet. Additional symptoms might include numbness, tingling, or weakness in the back, buttocks, legs, or feet. Stenosis is a possible cause of sciatica symptoms. These symptoms are similar to many other back pain syndromes and this is one of the reasons stenosis is often blamed for back pain, even when it is not the true cause�

Lumbar stenosis patients will often experience more pain when standing or walking. The pain is often lessened from sitting or certain reclined positions. This is one symptom that often differs from many other back pain conditions in the lumber spine.

Recommendation on Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

I have seen patients suffering for years due to a misdiagnosed case of stenosis back pain. After years of unsuccessful treatments, and sometimes a failed surgery, the pain persists. These patients have pain which is blamed on this common scapegoat condition, but turns out to be from another physical or psychological cause.

Some patients do develop horrible pain and disability from completely physical spinal stenosis. This condition is rare, but can be very serious and require drastic treatment. In these cases, surgery is usually the best option and can give an acceptable result. Make sure that you have exhausted all conservative therapies before undergoing any surgical treatment of your spinal stenosis. It would be a shame to endure that trauma just to have a continued expression of pain post-surgery. My advice is to try knowledge therapy first, eliminating any possibility of psychological or diagnostic nocebo causation for your pain.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis to Back Pain Home page 7/9/07