Why You Might Be Prone to Spinal Stenosis, and How to Protect Yourself Now

As you get older, your body and your health start to change in many different ways, and for 95% of people by the age of 50, it comes with deteriorating spinal health. One of the most common afflictions that stems from an aging spine is spinal stenosis. 

Spinal stenosis occurs when the space inside your spinal column begins to narrow, putting pressure on your spinal cord and nerves and causing symptoms, such as pain and tingling. You can develop spinal stenosis in your lower back (lumbar spinal stenosis) or your neck (cervical lumbar stenosis). 

Since aging so often triggers the development of spinal stenosis, it’s important to take action now to protect the health of your spine and reduce your risk for age-related spine issues in the future.

So in this month’s blog, our team at Midwest Innovative Pain Management in Dyer, Indiana, is taking the time to discuss all the factors that could be putting you at risk for spinal stenosis and how to take action against it. 

Symptoms of and risk factors for spinal stenosis 

Spinal stenosis typically develops very slowly, meaning that it often goes unnoticed until it becomes quite severe. When symptoms do present, you might experience any or all of the following:

• Pain in your neck or lower back
• Numbness and tingling in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Weakness or heaviness in your arms or legs
• Balance issues
• Pain that worsens with movement

While anything that causes your spinal cord to narrow and put pressure on your spine can trigger spinal stenosis development, common causes include osteoarthritis and herniated discs. 

Being over the age of 50 and experiencing degenerative changes to your spine are the greatest risk factors for this condition. 

How to protect your spine from spinal stenosis 

You can’t stop your body (and spine) from aging, meaning there’s no way to completely prevent developing spinal stenosis. But you can proactively protect the health of your spine by making healthy lifestyle choices. These include:

• Eat nutrient-dense foods, including ones high in calcium for strong bones
• Exercise regularly to keep your spine strong and flexible
• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight to lower stress on your spine
• Quit smoking to prevent damage to your arteries 
• Practice good posture

If you notice any signs of spinal stenosis, such as new back or neck pain along with weakness and numbness, don’t wait to seek treatment. 

Our team at Midwest Innovative Pain Management offers a variety of interventions that can not only relieve symptoms but also slow the progression of the condition. These treatments include physical therapy, oral medications, and ice and heat therapy. 

Sometimes, conservative methods aren’t enough to resolve pain and other symptoms from spinal stenosis. In these cases, surgery might be necessary to reduce pain and restore mobility and quality of life. 

Protect the health of your spine 

To learn more about how to protect your spine as it ages or to receive effective care for your spinal stenosis, schedule an appointment with our team by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.