Spinal Stenosis Aventura | Acupuncture For Spinal Stenosis In Aventura, Florida

Spinal stenosis is a medical condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal that occurs when excessive growth of bone and/or tissue reduces the size of the openings in the spinal bones. The process eventually leads to the compression of the nerve roots.

This condition occurs mostly in the lower back (lumbar) area. Spinal stenosis commonly affects middle-aged or elderly people. Younger people born with a narrow spinal canal or who damage their spines may also get spinal stenosis.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of spinal stenosis include:

• Pain in the buttocks, thighs or calves that worsens with walking or exercise
• Numbness in the buttocks, thighs or calves that worsens with standing
• Radiating back and hip pain
• Cramping and weakness in the legs
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Foot and leg pain
• Difficulty or imbalance when walking
• Loss of bowel or bladder function (cauda equine syndrome)

Causative Factors

Spinal stenosis most often occurs because of the natural process of spinal degeneration that occurs with aging. Here we list some of the other main causes that might lead to spinal stenosis:

• Herniated disk
• Ligament changes
• Spinal tumors
• Injury (such as from car accidents)
• Paget’s disease of bone
• Achondroplasia

Arthritis is also considered as one of the frequent causes of spinal stenosis.

Diagnosis

Spinal stenosis is usually diagnosed by a combination of an interview about medical history and a physical examination along with some essential tests. Here we list some of the main tests involved:

• X rays
• Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computerized axial tomography (CAT)
• Bone scan

Acupuncture For Spinal Stenosis In Aventura

Acupuncture is remarkably effective in providing successful pain relief associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. Manual techniques and acupuncture with modalities can be utilized to relieve significant pain and discomfort arising from secondary soft tissue tightness and muscle spasms. Incorporating acupuncture is remarkably effective in providing successful pain relief. Although electrical stimulation is commonly used in conventional therapy to reduce pain and relax soft tissue, the inclusion of acupuncture needles allows the stimulation to penetrate deeper and affect the involved structure directly.

Acupuncture’s effects are also associated with stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Many people are familiar with the sympathetic nervous system, which controls our “fight or flight” response. The parasympathetic nervous system is paired with the sympathetic nervous system and has the effect of clearing out stress hormones and re-allocating the body’s resources towards digesting and healing. It is associated with the improved activity of the immune system, as well as a greater sense of calm and well being. Acupuncture treatment has also been found to activate the hypothalamus and the pituitary glands, resulting in a broad spectrum of systemic effects that support general homeostasis.