The spinal cord descends from the brain through a tunnel in the spine called the central spinal canal. Nerves exit the central nervous system, meaning the brain and spinal cord, through openings in the skull and vertebral column called foramina. The narrowing of one of these passageways by obstructions, such as bone spurs, is known as spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis can compress nerves and result in numerous health problems.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Surgery is one option of for treating spinal stenosis, but more conservative options are often preferred as an initial means of addressing the symptoms. "The New York Times Health Guide" notes that anti-inflammatory pain medications are one of the less invasive methods of treating the pain associated with spinal stenosis.
In addition to over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and aspirin, some doctors recommend a supplement containing vitamin B complex and folic acid, but Dr. Charles Ray, a neurosurgeon specializing in spinal health, notes in an article written for the website Spine-Health that no substantial research has produced evidence to support the effectiveness of such recommendations.
Epidural Steroid Injections
"The New York Times" lists steroid injections as another tactic often employed in the treatment of pain from spinal stenosis. Ray states that when these injections are delivered to the epidural space, located outside the spinal cord and the membrane that surrounds it, their effectiveness can be used as a gauge to determine the potential effectiveness of future spinal surgery. Those who experience relief through epidural injections are likely candidates for successful spinal surgery.
Epidural injections address the pain of spinal stenosis, but not the causes behind it, and must be repeated up to three times over a period of several months.
Exercises
Exercises specifically prescribed for patients with spinal stenosis are important in ensuring that the patient doesn't suffer further disability due to decreased activity. Ray notes that exercises are not a cure for spinal stenosis, but that appropriate physical therapy techniques can employ exercise as an important aspect of the patient's overall care.
Activity Modification
Individuals with spinal stenosis can experience some relief from the symptoms of their condition through activity modification. These modifications will not address the causes of spinal stenosis or provide any curative benefits, but they can aid in alleviating pain by providing the individual with alternative ways of approaching daily activities that will not aggravate their symptoms. According to Ray, these activity modifications entail altering the individual's posture to relieve pressure on the spine, by leaning forward while walking or walking, rather than maintaining an upright position.
