Treat Spinal Stenosis With the Best Denver Chiropractor
Did you know that about 1 in 10 adults over 50 are living with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis? That’s not a small number. It might seem like normal back pain. But it’s not.
Spinal stenosis happens when the open spaces in parts of your spine start to shrink. As that space gets compressed, it can press down on your nerves. That pressure can cause low back pain, leg tingling, or weakness when you walk. If it starts in your neck, you might feel it in your arms, shoulders, or hands instead.
A lot of people chalk it up to aging and try to live with it. But this isn’t just something you have to “put up with.” And you don’t always need surgery, either.
Your Wheat Ridge Chiropractor, Dr. Al Simeone, offers a low-risk, safe alternative to surgery. We take a different approach focused on proven, hands-on techniques to relieve pressure on your spine and help your body heal naturally.
If spinal stenosis is slowing you down, chiropractic care might be exactly what you need.
Understanding Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces in your spine begin to narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This narrowing can happen anywhere along your spine, but it most often affects the lower back (lumbar spine) or neck (cervical spine).
Types of Spinal Stenosis:
Lumbar Stenosis
The lower back area is made up of five vertebrae (L1 to L5). As the space between these vertebrae narrows, it puts pressure on the spinal cord or the nerves that branch out from the spine to the legs. The narrowing is usually caused by degeneration of the discs, thickening of the ligaments, or the growth of bone spurs (osteophytes).
Cervical Stenosis
The area of the cervical spine (neck) is made up of seven vertebrae (C1 to C7). These vertebrae protect the spinal cord, which runs from the brain down the back. When the space in the spinal canal narrows, it can put pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves that branch out to your shoulders, arms, and hands.
What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by aging, but it can also result from:
Degenerative disc disease
Over time, the discs between your vertebrae lose flexibility, which can lead to narrowing.
Bone spurs
These growths form as bones wear down, causing additional pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
Thickening of ligaments
Ligaments supporting the spine can become thicker with age, narrowing the spinal canal.
Injuries or trauma
Past injuries can cause shifts or changes in the spine, leading to stenosis.
Genetics
Some people are born with a naturally narrower spinal canal, making them more susceptible to stenosis.
Chiropractic Treatment for Spinal Stenosis
We at The Disc Chiropractic believe that your body has an innate ability to heal itself. Spinal stenosis doesn’t have to slow you down permanently, and our approach in treating it centers on helping your body regain its lost balance by relieving pressure on your spine. Here are our proven techniques:
Chiropractic Care
A spinal adjustment involves a precise, controlled thrust to the misaligned vertebrae in your spine. By gently guiding these bones back into place, we relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This reduces pain and decreases inflammation, thus enhancing nerve functions and returning mobility.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
We use advanced technology like the Triton DTS Table to gently stretch the spine by creating negative pressure that increases the space between the vertebrae, allowing nutrients back into the disc material. For lumbar stenosis, this therapy is particularly effective, as it targets the lower back where pain is most common. It’s a non-invasive, pain-free treatment with a high success rate, offering an excellent alternative to surgery.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
We use advanced technology like the Triton DTS Table to gently stretch the spine by creating negative pressure that increases the space between the vertebrae, allowing nutrients back into the disc material. For lumbar stenosis, this therapy is particularly effective, as it targets the lower back where pain is most common. It’s a non-invasive, pain-free treatment with a high success rate, offering an excellent alternative to surgery.
Therapeutic Exercises and Posture Correction
Strengthening your core, lower back, and abdominal muscles after adjustments is especially important for achieving long-term pain relief and preventing any future flare-ups. These muscles act like a natural brace for your spine, offering stability. As you strengthen these areas, you’ll notice improved posture and a lot less pressure on your spine.
Is Chiropractic Care Effective for Spinal Stenosis?
A study showed that combining chiropractic care with strengthening exercises can really help with spinal stenosis. Those who followed a program that included both were able to walk significantly farther than those who stuck to exercises alone.
After just three months, they were walking an average of 304 meters more. And by six months, that distance grew to over 400 meters. What’s even more impressive? 82% of people who got the full treatment saw improvements in walking, compared to just 63% of those doing self-guided exercises.
But it’s not just about walking. The people in this program also reported less pain that lasted for up to a year, showing that combining chiropractic care with exercise is a way to bring lasting relief.
FAQs About Spinal Stenosis
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a condition where the spaces within the spine narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. It can occur in the lower back (lumbar stenosis) or the neck (cervical stenosis), and it often leads to pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness, particularly in the legs or arms.
What Is the Recovery Time for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
Recovery time varies based on the severity of the condition and the treatments used. Many people experience significant improvement within a few months with the right combination of chiropractic care, spinal decompression therapy, and exercise.
Is Spinal Stenosis Surgery Necessary?
Not necessarily. Many patients find relief through conservative, non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care, spinal decompression therapy, and targeted exercises. Surgery is generally considered when other treatments fail to provide adequate relief or if the condition is severely affecting mobility.
How often do I need treatment for spinal stenosis?
Most patients begin with 2–3 visits per week for the first 4–6 weeks, depending on the severity of symptoms and response to care. After that, frequency is gradually reduced.
What causes spinal stenosis to develop?
The most common cause is degenerative changes in the spine due to aging. This includes disc dehydration, bone spur formation (osteophytes), thickening of spinal ligaments, and joint arthritis. In younger individuals, it can also result from congenital narrowing or a history of spinal injury.
Is Spinal Stenosis Permanent?
The structural narrowing in the spine is often permanent and doesn’t fully reverse even with surgery. However, symptoms caused by nerve inflammation or compression can be managed effectively with non-surgical treatments.
Is spinal stenosis the same as a herniated disc?
No, but they can occur together. A herniated disc is when disc material bulges or leaks out, pressing on nearby nerves. Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve root openings, which may be caused by disc herniation, but also by arthritis, ligament thickening, or bone spurs.
If you’re dealing with spinal stenosis and the pain, tingling, or weakness it causes, don’t wait to find relief. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Al Simeone today to start your journey toward pain-free living. Book an Appointment Now
Call: 720-573-4910