Williamson Walking and Non-Drug Therapy for Back Pain and Stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis and its related back pain is common and troubling for its sufferers. Dementia, neurogenic claudication, decreased walking distance, poor balance, lessened quality of life, and modified posture often accompany spinal stenosis. Disc herniations, disc degeneration, and other spinal canal space intruders invite spinal stenosis. At Apple Country Chiropractic, Williamson spinal stenosis patients who want to uninvite spinal stenosis have a partner to help.

THE IMPACT OF LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS

Research continues to present lumbar spinal stenosis as being linked to conditions like dementia development, walking capacity, and reduced quality of life. A new study reported that lumbar spinal stenosis was an independent risk factor for developing dementia. Of 1220 patients, 10.8% of the lumbar spinal stenosis patients had dementia compared to just 4.4% of the control group members. (1) Older adults with lumbar spinal stenosis were described as altering their posture with a forward bend to improve their ability and tolerance for walking. Researchers who looked into this phenomenon found that this posture was more of a forward shift of the pelvis during walking and standing. They concluded that limited walking in symptomatic spinal stenosis patients was more associated with spine loading which rose 7%. (2) Whatever it is related to, reduced walking ability isn’t beneficial. Someday it will be nice to understand more clearly the role of stenosis in relationship to inhibited walking, but for now, Apple Country Chiropractic will keep encouraging walking for spinal stenosis patients, slow and steady and distance furthered as tolerated.

THE TREATMENT OF LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS: Walk

Since spinal stenosis is so common a condition in older folks, many guidelines and articles are published and with good reason. Reduced ability to walk and quality of life are documented side-effects of lumbar spinal stenosis. These 2 issues remain the leading indicators for back surgery in older patients. Sadly, 40% of those who undergo spinal surgery for the lumbar spinal stenosis still report difficulty with walking after surgery. (3) Recommendation 1 of a newer guideline for dealing with lumbar spinal stenosis and related neurogenic claudication suggested non-surgical multimodal care to include non-drug therapy with education, advice, lifestyle changes, home exercise, manual therapy, acupuncture (trial), rehab, and therapy. (4) An update to the 2013 Cochrane review of research studies on the outcomes of treatments for lumbar spine stenosis related neurogenic claudication that decreased walking found that manual therapy and exercise to increase walking distance together was a beneficial treatment approach. Epidural steroids were not. (5) Conservative, non-surgical care of Williamson spinal stenosis is recommended by spine researchers and by Apple Country Chiropractic.

CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Nate McKee on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for a patient with lumbar spinal stenosis and balance issues. Relief with Cox® Technic is described.

Make your Williamson chiropractic appointment soon for improved walking and decreased back pain due to Williamson lumbar spinal stenosis!

 
Apple Country Chiropractic encourages walking and guideline-recommended non-drug therapy for spinal stenosis, decrease of its pain, and improvement in walking. 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."