Canal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows, typically as a result of the natural aging process. This can cause symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling and muscle weakness that extend down one of the extremities. If you’ve been diagnosed with canal stenosis, the next step is to find treatment options that can help alleviate these symptoms.

Common treatments for canal stenosis

As the first step in treating canal stenosis symptoms, your physician will likely recommend several conservative treatment options, including:

• Pain medications, such as ibuprofen, to reduce pain and inflammation
• Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation in the area of the spinal narrowing
• Lifestyle changes, such as improving posture and losing weight
• Wearing a back brace to immobilize the spine to help it regain strength
• Physical therapy or stretching techniques to strengthen the muscles around the spine

In addition to these options, many individuals with canal stenosis have explored alternative therapies, such as yoga, chiropractic manipulation and acupuncture. In many cases, a combination of these treatments will sufficiently alleviate the pain and other symptoms caused by canal stenosis.

Surgical canal stenosis treatment

In more severe cases that do not improve after months of conservative treatment, a physician will likely recommend surgery as the next step. The goal of surgery as a canal stenosis treatment is to address the underlying cause of the narrowing. There are several different spinal conditions that can cause canal stenosis, and the condition will determine which type of surgery can help. At USA Spine Care, we offer a range of minimally invasive decompression and minimally invasive stabilization surgeries to address neck and back pain.

If you would like to find out if one of our outpatient procedures is right for you, contact USA Spine Care for a no-cost MRI review.*