Your PT will follow your MD’s recovery protocol for spinal stenosis. Proper postural awareness and core stability will also be of extreme importance to your recovery. Slouching and forward rounding of the shoulders and pelvis needs to be avoided along with poor lifting mechanics.
Application of ice packs or heat may also be suggested to help manage chronic or acute pain and inflammation at home.
Spinal stenosis can often be managed through physical therapy without the need for surgical intervention. If you require surgery, upon your initial evaluation at Elite Physical therapy, your physical therapist will educate you on your physician’s protocol for recovery.
Following your evaluation, your physical therapy team will develop and guide you through an individualized exercise program.
Spinal stenosis is defined as an abnormal narrowing of the space in the spinal canal. There are two main categories of spinal stenosis:
1) Primary spinal stenosis, which is known as congenital, is present since birth and typically becomes apparent in the fourth decade of life.
2) Secondary spinal stenosis,
Scoliosis is a non-curable disorder of the spine. There may be one or two additional curves in the spine that form a C shape or an S shape. Depending on the severity and the type of scoliosis, you may need surgery and must consult with Physician. Physical therapy is a good treatment to improve proper movement patterns,
Scoliosis is a disorder causing an abnormal curve in the spine. When looking at the front or the back of the spine, it should appear straight. With scoliosis there are additional curves in the spine that will appear to be a C shape or S shape. The cause is unknown and occurs more often in females rather than males.
Scoliosis is a diagnosis referring to the lateral curvature of the spine seen most often in the thoracic or lumbar region. The lateral curvature can be accompanied by a rotational abnormality. A diagnosis can be idiopathic, secondary to a congenital deformity, secondary to pain, or secondary to degeneration.
Scoliosis can be either static (structural) or dynamic (non-structural).
A ruptured or herniated disk can cause pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness down legs or arms depending on the location of the disk affected. This happens when the center of the disk pushes through the tough outer layer at a weak spot and causes compression against the spinal nerves.
Once Physical Therapy is initiated,
A ruptured or herniated disk is when the center of the disk (nucleus) pushes through the outer layer and presses against the nerves. This can cause back pain that may radiate down legs as well. If surgery is not required as treatment for a ruptured disk, then Physical Therapy is prescribed by the Physician.
Let’s discuss the anatomy of the spine to learn more about a herniated disk.
The spine is made up of 33 vertebrae, each with a disk in between to act as a cushion or a shock absorber and to prevent the vertebrae from rubbing against each other. The outer layer of a disk is called the annulus which is a tough fibrous tissue that attaches between each vertebra.
Maria Lovvorn has had scoliosis since she was a child. It has never been treated and while it has not kept her from many of her previous activities, she was always just pushing through in discomfort. Over the years, the discomfort has now turned to pain and has progressed to the point that she needed major relief.