Lumbar spinal stenosis and its related back pain is widespread
and distressing for many. Dementia, neurogenic
claudication, reduced walking distance, poor balance, lessened
quality of life, and altered posture often attend spinal
stenosis. Disc herniations, disc degeneration, and other spinal canal space intruders
invite spinal stenosis. At Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC, La Grande spinal stenosis sufferers
who want to uninvite spinal stenosis have a partner by their side.
THE IMPACT OF LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS
Research continues to present lumbar
spinal stenosis as being linked to issues like dementia
development, walking capacity, and lower quality of life. A new
study stated that lumbar spinal stenosis was an independent risk
factor for developing dementia. Of 1220 patients, 10.8% of the
lumbar spinal stenosis patients experienced dementia compared to just 4.4% of the control group members. (1) Older
adults with lumbar spinal stenosis were portrayed as changing
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 while
standing and walking. They concluded
that limited walking in symptomatic spinal stenosis patients was more related to spine loading which rose 7%. (2) Whatever
it is related to, decreased walking ability is
not good. Someday it will be nice to more fully
understand the part stenosis plays
in relationship to slowed walking, but for now,
Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC will continue to encourage walking for
spinal stenosis patients, slow and steady and distance increased
as tolerated.
THE TREATMENT OF LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS: Walk
Since spinal stenosis is so common a condition in older
folks, many guidelines and reports are issued
and with good reason. Decreased walking ability
and quality of life are documented side-effects of lumbar spinal
stenosis. These two issues remain the main
indicators for back surgery in older sufferers.
Sadly, 40% of those who undergo spinal surgery for the lumbar spinal stenosis still
report difficulty with walking post-surgery. (3) Recommendation 1 of a newer guideline for managing lumbar spinal stenosis and related
neurogenic claudication encouraged 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 reports regarding
the outcomes of treatments for lumbar spine stenosis related neurogenic
claudication that decreased walking found
that manual therapy and exercise to improve walking distance
together was an effective treatment approach.
Epidural steroids weren’t. (5) Conservative, non-surgical care
of La Grande spinal stenosis is recommended by spine researchers and by
Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC.
CONTACT Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
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.
Schedule your La Grande chiropractic
appointment now for pain relief of spinal stenosis that can
get you walking (more) again!