Decompression Therapy Alleviates Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Introduction

The lower half of the body consists of the low back, hips, legs, and feet to stabilize the upper body. The motor-sensory function helps the lower portion of the body move the leg muscles and sense when the lower back muscles are in pain. The lower back muscles help twist and turn the upper body without feeling discomfort or pain when it is in motion. Many ordinary factors put the lower back muscles to the test, which can become a nuisance later on if not treated right away. Factors like lifting and carrying heavy objects, being hunched over, and injuries can affect the lower back while causing immense pain to the lumbar spine. When injuries occur in the lower back, unwanted symptoms start to take effect, causing the individual to suffer and find some relief to alleviate the pain. Today’s article will focus on what causes lumbar stenosis, how it is associated with low back pain, and how traction therapy can help alleviate lumbar stenosis for many people. Patients are referred to qualified, skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression and traction therapy. We go hand in hand with our patients by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is valuable for asking critical questions to our providers. Dr. Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

What Causes Lumbar Stenosis?

Experiencing mild to chronic pain in your lower back? Do you feel unstable when walking or running to your destination? Or have you experienced symptoms of muscle weakness or tenderness around your lower back? Many of these symptoms are caused by lumbar spinal stenosis. Research studies have defined lumbar stenosis as intervertebral spinal discs in the lumbar regions starting to degenerate naturally, causing the lower extremities to become hypermobile around the facet joints. When this happens to the spinal joint over time, it causes a reduction in the spinal canal, making the nerve roots that surround the spine irritated. Lumbar stenosis will gradually worsen as the pain symptoms range from mild to severe. Other research studies have shown that lumbar stenosis is caused due to natural aging in the spine that causes the degeneration process, thus leading to pain symptoms associated with stenosis.

How Low Back Pain Is Associated With Stenosis?

Research studies have found that lumbar stenosis is associated with leg and back pain when a person has lumbar stenosis, a common source in the lower back. Other back issues and symptoms are also playing an effect on the development of lumbar stenosis. Degenerative spondylosis causes an increased load on the posterior portions of the spine where the hips are located at. Additional research studies have shown that many suffering individuals will exhibit various symptoms associated with lumbar stenosis. Some of the signs that lumbar spinal stenosis does include:

• Neurogenic claudication
• Radiating pain in the lower limbs (buttock, legs, and feet)
• Decrease sensory functions 
• Severe pain in posture stance
• Increase chances of falling down

An Overview On Lumbar Traction-Video

Feeling radiating pain in your lower limbs? Do you feel muscle stiffness or tenderness in certain parts of your lower back? Have you experienced severe pain from standing or sitting for too long? Having lumbar spinal stenosis is no laughing matter for your lower back. The pain can become excruciating if it isn’t being taken care of, and that is where lumbar traction can help. The video above explains why lumbar traction is terrific when dealing with low back pain and lumbar stenosis. Lumbar traction helps loosen the tense muscles and resets the spinal discs that aggravate the nerve roots. Lumbar traction also provides relief to individuals suffering from sciatic nerve pain and can help rehydrate the dry intervertebral discs in the body. This link will explain what lumbar traction therapy offers and the impressive results for many individuals who suffer from lumbar spinal stenosis or other low back pain issues

How Traction Therapy Helps Alleviate Lumbar Stenosis

Many individuals looking for treatments that can help alleviate lumbar stenosis and low back can try lumbar traction therapy. Research studies have shown that traction therapy can help many suffering patients dealing with low back pain or lumbar stenosis will have a decrease in radicular pain in their lower back and legs. Lumbar traction helps relieve the surrounding nerves’ aggravated pressure, and radiculopathy symptoms are decreased in the lower back. Other research studies have mentioned that lumbar traction can help widen the spinal disc space in the spine while reducing low back pain and causing the sensory-motor functions to return to the legs. Lumbar traction therapy has many beneficial results for lower back pain relief for individuals.

Conclusion

Living with low back pain or lumbar stenosis is not a laughing matter for a person’s health. Overall, experiencing low back pain is no joke when associated with other symptoms like lumbar spinal stenosis. Lumbar stenosis causes the spinal canal to become narrow, and it can press on the surrounding nerve roots in the lumbar region. Many individuals who suffer from lumbar stenosis will have a wide range of pain in their lower extremities while feeling unstable when they are moving. When this happens, therapies like lumbar traction can help decompress the affected nerve roots and help widen the spinal canal and discs back to their original state. Incorporating traction and decompression therapy to alleviate low back pain can do many wonders for the individual.

References

Bjerke, Benjamin. “Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.” Spine, Spine-Health, 8 June 2020, www.spine-health.com/conditions/spinal-stenosis/lumbar-spinal-stenosis.

Harte, Annette A, et al. “The Effectiveness of Motorised Lumbar Traction in the Management of LBP with Lumbo Sacral Nerve Root Involvement: A Feasibility Study.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 29 Nov. 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2217540/.

Lee, Byung Ho, et al. “Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Pathophysiology and Treatment Principle: A Narrative Review.” Asian Spine Journal, Korean Society of Spine Surgery, Oct. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7595829/.

Lee, Seung Yeop, et al. “Lumbar Stenosis: A Recent Update by Review of Literature.” Asian Spine Journal, Korean Society of Spine Surgery, Oct. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4591458/.

Vanti, Carla, et al. “Vertical Traction for Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review.” Archives of Physiotherapy, BioMed Central, 15 Mar. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7958699/.

Wu, Lite, and Ricardo Cruz. “Lumbar Spinal Stenosis – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 25 Aug. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531493/.

Disclaimer