Foraminal stenosis describes the narrowing of one or more foramina — passageways that allows nerve roots to exit out of the spinal canal. It is often prompted by the development of a degenerative spine condition that has caused a component of the spine to move out of alignment and reduce the space between the walls of the foramina and the spine. The resulting symptoms can include chronic and radiating pain, often beginning minutely and gradually worsening over time. However, there are also cases of foraminal stenosis that never show any symptoms.

If you are living with chronic pain due to foraminal stenosis, you should consult your physician about the treatment options available to you. Many patients with foraminal stenosis find lasting relief from nonsurgical methods of treatment. Certain holistic herbs can even offer pain relief from mild cases of foraminal stenosis, so make sure you ask your physician about the natural ways you can treat your spine condition.

How to take herbal supplements for foraminal stenosis

Herbal supplements are available in various forms such as pills, essential aromatherapy oils and tinctures. To determine which option is best for you, consult with your physician. He or she will be able to recommend the dosage and form of herbal supplement that will best benefit you and your condition. Some herbal supplements that are commonly used to treat foraminal stenosis include:

• St. John’s wort. Also known as Tipton’s weed, St. John’s wort has been used to treat nerve pain, anxiety, depression and a number of other nervous system conditions. The herb may help alleviate nerve pain when used in an infusion, tea or oil-based rub. St. John’s wort is also widely available in pill form.
  
  
• Vervain This plant is a nervous system relaxant and has also been considered an effective antidepressant. Vervain may be most successful at treating nerve pain when applied as a topical ointment or compress, or when ingested as a tincture or infusion.
  
  
• Peppermint Peppermint oil may ease foraminal nerve pain when used as topical massage oil.

Other conservative treatment options

Often, holistic treatments for foraminal stenosis can be combined with other nonsurgical treatments, such as chiropractic care, yoga and physical therapy. The combination of these treatments should be approved by your physician, and you should consult your physician if you experience pain or discomfort during your treatment sessions.

For more severe cases of foraminal stenosis, you may be required to explore a more direct treatment approach. If you’ve tried conservative and alternative treatments with no lasting pain relief, you may want to consider surgery. If this is the case for you, USA Spine Care, the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, is here to help. We have performed nearly 100,000 procedures and are proud to hold a patient satisfaction score of 98 percent. To learn more, contact us today. When you do, ask about receiving a free MRI review* to determine whether you could be a candidate for our minimally invasive surgeries.