Canal stenosis treatment often consists of a plan of conservative, or nonsurgical, treatments that are intended to relieve symptoms caused by narrowing of the spinal canal. These treatments often prove to be effective in helping people manage their spinal canal stenosis symptoms, but they don’t work for everyone.
There are also other treatments for canal stenosis — beyond more commonly recommended options like physical therapy, medication and exercise — that are sometimes overlooked by patients and doctors. While many of the following methods are outside of the medical mainstream, patients do report finding relief by complementing a conventional plan with these options.
Chiropractic care
Some people with canal stenosis find that visiting a chiropractor is a beneficial addition to their treatment routine. Chiropractic medicine involves the manual manipulation of the spine using any of several methods in order to restore the spine’s normal movement and alignment. Practitioners of this treatment believe that making these adjustments can take pressure off the spinal cord and relieve associated symptoms of canal stenosis.
Acupuncture and acupressure
The insertion of thin, metal needles into specific areas of the skin is called acupuncture, while the strategic application of pressure is called acupressure. Both techniques are based on the principle that careful stimulation of the skin can have therapeutic effects and relieve pain. Acupuncture and acupressure can be used to relieve the pain associated with canal stenosis and other degenerative spine conditions.
Herbal supplements
Many people take herbal supplements to help the body address illnesses and conditions. Patients have found such remedies to be useful in treating the symptoms of canal stenosis, but caution should be taken before adding any supplements to a treatment plan. Although herbal remedies are widely available without a prescription, they can have serious interactions with other over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs, so it’s vital to consult with a physician before taking them.
When to consider surgery
Your doctor may recommend an appointment with a surgical specialist if fully exhausting both conservative and alternative treatments has not brought the relief from canal stenosis you need to enjoy an active lifestyle. While many have reservations about the large incision, overnight hospitalization and long recovery period involved with traditional open spine surgery, there are minimally invasive procedures that are an alternative.
USA Spine Care is the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery and since 2005 we’ve been able to help more than 60,000 patients find relief from neck or back pain. By using a less than 1-inch incision, our surgeons can access the spine and relieve canal stenosis on an outpatient basis.
Learn more by contacting one of our Spine Care Consultants today and asking for a no-cost MRI review* to determine if you are a potential candidate for one of our procedures.
