PHONE / EMAIL
NEW HELP FOR SPINAL STENOSIS SUFFERERS!
What is Spinal Stenosis (also known as Neurogenic Intermittent Claudication)?
Stenosis is degeneration of the spine or spinal osteoarthritis. The thickening of the spinal joints and thinning of the discs lead to compression of the spinal nerves that travel through the canals and into the lower back and legs. The compression of the spinal nerves causes lack of blood flow to the nerves of the spine. This decrease in blood flow to the nerves in turn causes intense pain, burning, numbness, tingling and weakness into the lower back and nerves.
How prevalent is it?
It is in 70% of the over 70 population and it is a huge cause of pain, disability and loss of independence in these patients. It presents differently depending on where the degeneration is but most people report all or some of the following: pain in the hips or low back, weakness or pain in the calves, numbing and tingling in the feet, when advanced loss of bladder and bowel control. This happens after 30 minutes or less of walking and is relieved immediately by bending forward, sitting or resting.
Why am I better when I push a shopping cart or bend forward?
When you walk, degeneration or arthritic areas of the spine press into the spinal cord and literally choke or obstruct the blood supply to the nerves to the back, lower legs, feet and/or bowel or bladder. It is differentiated from mechanical back pain by immediate relief when bending forward; this immediately increases the blood flow and relieves the pain.
Stenosis is degeneration of the spine or spinal osteoarthritis. The thickening of the spinal joints and thinning of the discs lead to compression of the spinal nerves that travel through the canals and into the lower back and legs. The compression of the spinal nerves causes lack of blood flow to the nerves of the spine. This decrease in blood flow to the nerves in turn causes intense pain, burning, numbness, tingling and weakness into the lower back and nerves.
How prevalent is it?
It is in 70% of the over 70 population and it is a huge cause of pain, disability and loss of independence in these patients. It presents differently depending on where the degeneration is but most people report all or some of the following: pain in the hips or low back, weakness or pain in the calves, numbing and tingling in the feet, when advanced loss of bladder and bowel control. This happens after 30 minutes or less of walking and is relieved immediately by bending forward, sitting or resting.
Why am I better when I push a shopping cart or bend forward?
When you walk, degeneration or arthritic areas of the spine press into the spinal cord and literally choke or obstruct the blood supply to the nerves to the back, lower legs, feet and/or bowel or bladder. It is differentiated from mechanical back pain by immediate relief when bending forward; this immediately increases the blood flow and relieves the pain.
|
Does it progress?
As the spine degenerates, the holes where the nerves exit the spinal cord, and travel from the low back down the legs, get smaller. So the ability to walk decreases from 30 minutes to 25 to 20 and so on down to zero and force the patient into a sedentary lifestyle. The sedentary lifestyle leaves patients susceptible to a whole host of lifestyle related diseases; heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, etc. All these are well managed with simple walking and if patients are unable to walk then health goes downhill. |
Can I have surgery?
Some patients report relief with surgical management of Spinal Stenosis; however, only a minority of patients have this option due to the potential of risks with surgery in the older population. Among those who do have the surgery; the benefits general diminish over two years.
What is the Nanaimo Spinal Stenosis program?
It is a non-surgical, new treatment approach based on the Lumbar Spinal Stenosis program at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto. The focus is to improve standing and walking ability using manual therapy, specific exercises and a custom table that helps to align the spine to increase openings for the spinal nerves. This six week program involves exercises to restore weak back and leg muscles and reduce pressure on spinal nerves when standing and walking.
Some patients report relief with surgical management of Spinal Stenosis; however, only a minority of patients have this option due to the potential of risks with surgery in the older population. Among those who do have the surgery; the benefits general diminish over two years.
What is the Nanaimo Spinal Stenosis program?
It is a non-surgical, new treatment approach based on the Lumbar Spinal Stenosis program at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto. The focus is to improve standing and walking ability using manual therapy, specific exercises and a custom table that helps to align the spine to increase openings for the spinal nerves. This six week program involves exercises to restore weak back and leg muscles and reduce pressure on spinal nerves when standing and walking.
6 weeks ago I was only able to walk for 2-5 minutes before my debilitating buttock and leg pain forced me to stop. I was diagnosed and treated for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. Now after the 6 week treatment program I am up to 20 minutes of walking and I am improving every day with the exercises. So pleased!
-Gary, Age 63
CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES
|
The focus on spinal adjustment is the approach doctors of chiropractic take to treating patients with spinal complaints. The chiropractic adjustment, however, may not be the only procedure a chiropractor may employ in managing a patient's care.
Here are a list of the therapeutic measures and treatments we utilize to better assist our patients: |
|
FLEXION-DISTRACTION
Flexion distraction has been shown effective in chronic low back pain, leg pain, disc problems and stenosis. These type of conditions are common, especially in the over 50 population.
THE IMPULSE ADJUSTING INSTRUMENT
The Impulse Adjusting Instrument® is used for spinal joints that are out of alignment or not moving properly, resulting in stiff and achy joints.
Treatments with the Impulse Adjusting Instrument® feel like a tapping sensation on the area that is being treated.
The Impulse trades speed for force in manipulating a joint. It is designed to impact the joint several times in quick succession with the appropriate amount of force required to restore movement to the joint.
After the adjustment most patients feel relief of pain and improved mobility.
MOTION ASSISTED (DROP PIECE) ADJUSTMENTS
With this technique the patient lies face down on a table with ‘drop sections’.
When the Chiropractor pushes on a stiff or restricted joint a small section of the table drops at the same time.
The dropping of the table allows for an adjustment that some patients may find more comfortable as there are no twisting positions.
SPINAL MANIPULATION THERAPY
This is the most widely-known treatment used by Chiropractors; also known as the Chiropractic Adjustment.
Spinal manipulation uses highly-developed manual skills, perfected during years of intensive hands-on study. The primary goal of spinal manipulation is to realign and restore motion to the spine, which can then decrease pain, dysfunction and muscular spasm in the surrounding tissues (ligaments, muscles and nerves).
NEURAL MOBILIZATION
Neural mobilization can restore proper pain-free mobility to the nerves in the arms and legs. Injured nerves, such as with sciatica, often swell with fluid retention which increases their internal pressure. This limits blood flow to the nerve, causing numbing, tingling, pain and weakness.
With neural mobilization, our Doctor guides the patient’s arms or legs in a variety of very specific movement patterns to allow the nerve to glide more freely. By using specific traction techniques; fluid can be removed from the nerve and healing initiated. Often aches and pains that have been present for years will respond well to neural mobilization.
Flexion distraction has been shown effective in chronic low back pain, leg pain, disc problems and stenosis. These type of conditions are common, especially in the over 50 population.
THE IMPULSE ADJUSTING INSTRUMENT
The Impulse Adjusting Instrument® is used for spinal joints that are out of alignment or not moving properly, resulting in stiff and achy joints.
Treatments with the Impulse Adjusting Instrument® feel like a tapping sensation on the area that is being treated.
The Impulse trades speed for force in manipulating a joint. It is designed to impact the joint several times in quick succession with the appropriate amount of force required to restore movement to the joint.
After the adjustment most patients feel relief of pain and improved mobility.
MOTION ASSISTED (DROP PIECE) ADJUSTMENTS
With this technique the patient lies face down on a table with ‘drop sections’.
When the Chiropractor pushes on a stiff or restricted joint a small section of the table drops at the same time.
The dropping of the table allows for an adjustment that some patients may find more comfortable as there are no twisting positions.
SPINAL MANIPULATION THERAPY
This is the most widely-known treatment used by Chiropractors; also known as the Chiropractic Adjustment.
Spinal manipulation uses highly-developed manual skills, perfected during years of intensive hands-on study. The primary goal of spinal manipulation is to realign and restore motion to the spine, which can then decrease pain, dysfunction and muscular spasm in the surrounding tissues (ligaments, muscles and nerves).
NEURAL MOBILIZATION
Neural mobilization can restore proper pain-free mobility to the nerves in the arms and legs. Injured nerves, such as with sciatica, often swell with fluid retention which increases their internal pressure. This limits blood flow to the nerve, causing numbing, tingling, pain and weakness.
With neural mobilization, our Doctor guides the patient’s arms or legs in a variety of very specific movement patterns to allow the nerve to glide more freely. By using specific traction techniques; fluid can be removed from the nerve and healing initiated. Often aches and pains that have been present for years will respond well to neural mobilization.
INTERSEGMENTAL TRACTION MASSAGE TABLE
The intersegmental traction table mobilizes the spinal column while simultaneously stretching ligaments and muscles using patient controlled heat, vibration and rollers.
Intersegmental traction tables increase blood flow to ligaments and muscles, thereby improving balance, strength and mobility.
This Massage Table helps decrease spinal stiffness and immobility.
The intersegmental traction table mobilizes the spinal column while simultaneously stretching ligaments and muscles using patient controlled heat, vibration and rollers.
Intersegmental traction tables increase blood flow to ligaments and muscles, thereby improving balance, strength and mobility.
This Massage Table helps decrease spinal stiffness and immobility.
PHYSIO THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES
We use four main types of Electrotherapy to stimulate soft tissue healing: Interferential Current Therapy, Utrasound, and Moist Heat.
1.) INTERFERENTIAL CURRENT THERAPY (IFC)
Interferential current involves the use of electric current to decrease pain, reduce swelling and stimulate healing in injured tissues. Ligament sprains, muscle strains and back spasms often respond well to interferential current therapy.
Tiny electrical impulses are induced into the tissues in the area of the pain stimulating the body to secrete endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killers.
Interferential current may be used on the first few visits to bring down the patients pain levels and inflammation to facilitate manual treatment.
2.) ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to create deep heat to a localized area. This speeds up metabolism and improves blood flow. Ultrasound breaks up scar tissue and adhesions, reduces inflammation and swelling, reduces nerve root irritation and eases muscle spasms.
3.) MOIST HEAT
Moist Heat can reduce the chronic neck and back pain associated with osteoarthritis (degenerated joints). The warmth from the hot pack provides a sedative effect on the nerve endings of your skin and relieves muscle spasms. The effect helps you relax you for further Chiropractic treatment.
1.) INTERFERENTIAL CURRENT THERAPY (IFC)
Interferential current involves the use of electric current to decrease pain, reduce swelling and stimulate healing in injured tissues. Ligament sprains, muscle strains and back spasms often respond well to interferential current therapy.
Tiny electrical impulses are induced into the tissues in the area of the pain stimulating the body to secrete endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killers.
Interferential current may be used on the first few visits to bring down the patients pain levels and inflammation to facilitate manual treatment.
2.) ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to create deep heat to a localized area. This speeds up metabolism and improves blood flow. Ultrasound breaks up scar tissue and adhesions, reduces inflammation and swelling, reduces nerve root irritation and eases muscle spasms.
3.) MOIST HEAT
Moist Heat can reduce the chronic neck and back pain associated with osteoarthritis (degenerated joints). The warmth from the hot pack provides a sedative effect on the nerve endings of your skin and relieves muscle spasms. The effect helps you relax you for further Chiropractic treatment.
Foot Care Nursing
Foot care nursing is a professional service provided by our Registered Nurse which includes: Foot assessment and Diabetic foot exams, Nail cutting and filing, Corn and callus care, Skin care, Foot education – do’s and don’ts to safely take care of your feet and nails and Advice on products (foot cream, padding, proper footware, etc.).
Early Detection
Read the latest from Katia Langton, Cped, Cped(C), DC, as she investigates lumbar spinal stenosis and complications from diabetes right here via the O&P Almanac.
TESTIMONIAL
"I was down to 5 minutes of walking due to the pain after 5 minutes in my back, legs and hips. After starting the Stenosis treatment with Dr. Katia for just a few weeks; I am now up to 15 minutes of walking and my leg and back pain have really decreased! So very pleased that I can now walk and that I am able to walk hills again..."
