Nerve Compression and Neck Pain: Understanding the Link
A compressed or pinched nerve is a royal pain in the neck, but why does it hurt so bad? Read on to learn more about nerves, how they get compressed, and what you can do to find relief.
Spinal Stenosis Solutions: What Are My Options?
Spinal stenosis happens when your spinal canal becomes narrower. Unfortunately, that can put pressure on your nerves and cause leg weakness, pain, and difficulty walking.
If you’re one of the 11% of Americans diagnosed with spinal stenosis, you’re probably wondering what can be done to relieve your pain and help you get back to living your life.
At Spine Group Beverly Hills, Dr. John Regan, a fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon, offers a range of effective, personalized treatments from conservative care to advanced surgical options. We encourage you to reach out if you’re struggling with back pain.
In the meantime, here are the many options available to treat spinal stenosis.
Explore spinal stenosis solutions that work for you
Determining the right treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms and how greatly your quality of life is impacted. Before recommending the right treatment for you, Dr. Regan reviews your medical history, discusses your symptoms, and assesses your imaging studies (X-ray or MRI).
Your potential treatments may include:
Lifestyle changes
Making a few changes to your daily habits can go a long way in easing spinal stenosis symptoms. Low-impact exercise, for example, can improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and strengthen the muscles that support your spine.
Maintaining a healthy weight can also make a big difference. Gaining just 6 kilograms (13.2 pounds) can increase your risk of lower back pain by 1.42 times. That’s because carrying extra pounds adds pressure to your spine and worsens nerve compression. Even a modest weight loss of 5-10% of your body weight can reduce pain and improve mobility.
Eating anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce inflammation throughout your body. Try to include more leafy greens, berries, fatty fish (like salmon), and olive oil in your meals.
Lifestyle changes alone won’t undo the damage caused by a narrowing spinal canal but they can help slow its progression.
Non-surgical, conservative treatments
Dr. Regan may begin your treatment plan with physical therapy. Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises can help reduce pressure on your spinal nerves, improve your posture, and ease pain.
In addition to physical therapy, you may benefit from anti-inflammatory medications. These reduce swelling around your nerves and help control your discomfort.
Depending on your symptoms, Dr. Regan may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications to help you manage pain and inflammation.
Steroid injections
If physical therapy and medication don’t provide enough relief, you might consider steroid injections as your next step. Steroid injections target swelling in your spinal canal and can significantly reduce leg numbness and pain.
Steroid injections contain a local anesthetic and a steroid. This combination provides pain relief (thanks to the anesthetic) and decreased swelling (thanks to the steroid).
Surgery
When other treatments aren’t enough, minimally invasive decompression surgery may be the best solution. Dr. Regan is a leader in this advanced technique, which involves removing thickened ligaments or small portions of bone to create more space in your spinal canal.
The goal? To take pressure off your nerves and relieve your pain without the long recovery time of traditional open surgery.
For many people with spinal stenosis, this offers long-term relief and a faster return to everyday activities.
You’re in expert hands
Dr. Regan is a pioneer in minimally invasive spinal surgery. With decades of experience and a 4.97-star patient rating, you can trust that your spine is in skilled and compassionate hands.
Whether you’re considering your first appointment for back pain or you’re looking for a second opinion, we’ve got what you need under one roof.
If you’re tired of living with back pain, numbness, or weakness from spinal stenosis, help is just a click or call away. Schedule your consultation online or call our Beverly Hills office at 424-238-3281 to explore the treatment option that’s right for you.
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