Finding Comfort and Relief from Spinal Stenosis

At TLC Medicine here in Toronto, pain is the #1 condition we treat. Chronic pain comes in many forms and has a multitude of causes, but today, let’s explore spinal stenosis. If you’ve ever felt a twinge in your back or just noticed that your spine is moving or feeling different, then this blog post may be for you. Spinal stenosis is a fairly prevalent condition in aging that can affect up to 20% of older adults.

What is Spinal Stenosis?

Imagine your spine as a tunnel that protects precious nerves. Spinal stenosis occurs when this tunnel narrows, compressing the nerves. This can happen in any part of your spine, but it’s most common in the lower back and neck.

Causes of Spinal Stenosis

Your spine might become narrow for a few reasons:

• Aging: Just like the rest of our body, the structure of our spine changes over time.
• Disc degeneration or herniation: The discs that act as cushioning between the vertebrae can break down, bulge, or slide out of place, leading to nerve compression.
• Arthritis: This can cause swelling in the spine due to protrusions from overgrowth of bone.
• Heredity: Sometimes, the shape of your spine from birth can lead to stenosis.
• Injuries: Accidents can damage the spine, leading to stenosis.
• Postural issues or repetitive stress: Poor posture or activities that strain the spine can contribute to stenosis.

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

You may experience different signs your body is trying to tell you something is not right:

• Pain in your back or neck
• Numbness or tingling in arms or legs
• Trouble walking or balancing
• Weakness in muscles
• Pain relief with sitting or leaning forward
• Inability to stand up straight or bend backwards

Not everyone will experience all of these symptoms. In fact, some people have zero symptoms and only discover that they have spinal stenosis through diagnostic imagining.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Spinal Stenosis

Acupuncture can be a gentle and effective way to relieve symptoms of spinal stenosis. Here’s how it can help:

• Reducing Pain: Numerous studies confirm that acupuncture is effective at reducing pain frequency and severity.
• Relaxing Muscles: Acupuncture helps reduce tension in the back and neck.
• Improving Mobility: Through delivering pain relief and relaxing muscles, acupuncture may help improve range of motion.
• Reduce Nerve Irritation: By reducing inflammation in the body, acupuncture may relieve promote relief from nerve-related symptoms.
• Release Endorphins: Acupuncture encourages the release of the body’s natural pain killers.
• Enhance sleep: Acupuncture may improve the quality of sleep for individuals whose sleep is impacted by pain.
• Reduce stress: With its calming effect on the nervous system, acupuncture can reduce the stress and anxiety that is often associated with chronic pain.
• Enhancing Healing: Encourages your body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Lifestyle Changes That Can Help Improve Symptoms

Pairing acupuncture with changes in your daily life can make a big difference. Consider these steps:

• Stay Active: Gentle exercises, like tai chi, yoga, walking or swimming, can keep your spine flexible.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Extra weight can put more pressure on your spine.
• Good Posture: Keeping your spine in proper alignment reduces stress on your back.
• Choose foods wisely: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to lower inflammation and promote overall health.
• Quit Smoking: The nicotine in tobacco can hurt your spine’s health and put you at higher risk for needing surgery.

At TLC Medicine, we believe in a holistic approach to health. Your body holds an incredible capacity for self-healing, and sometimes, it just needs a little support to tap into that power. Whether it’s through acupuncture, lifestyle changes, or a mix of both, we’re here to assist you in taking steps towards a life with less pain and more joy.

If you are suffering from discomfort, pain, or limited mobility and want a more natural, holistic alternative to surgery, we invite you to connect with the team at TLC Medicine. Our founder and acupuncturist, Teresa Lau, has over 10 years of experience treating chronic pain from spinal stenosis and other conditions successfully.

If you would like a consultation with Teresa, please reach out to schedule an appointment. During the consultation, Teresa will take the time to review your medical history, understand your concerns, answer your questions, assess your condition, and design a customized treatment plan to suit your goals. If you’re tired of letting your pain hold you hostage, call us today!