Spinal stenosis is a medical condition where your spine becomes narrow, potentially impinging on the spinal nerves. When this occurs, a patient experiences severe pain in several parts of their body. Its symptoms can vary depending on the type of spinal stenosis and where in the spine it is narrowing
Read this article to learn all about the symptoms of spinal stenosis so you can seek professional help in time.
Lower Back Pain (lumbar spinal stenosis)
More than 80% of adults worldwide experience lower back pain, making it one of the most prevalent medical issues. Lower back pain can even lead to disability, according to findings published in the Global Burden of Disease.
Patients may also experience symptoms, including numbness or weakness in the leg or foot and cramps in the legs when walking or standing for long periods.
Back pain since is a problem that often arises with age as your back loses its strength. However, you can take several measures for back pain relief, including physical exercise, stretching, maintaining a good posture, and maintaining body weight.
Excruciating Neck Pain (cervical spinal stenosis)
While back pain is common between the ages of 30 and 50, neck pain can occur at any age. It may result from an injury or develop over time. Some other risk factors that increase the risk of neck pain include muscle tension, heart attack, and meningitis.
If you experience symptoms such as bowel or bladder dysfunction, tingling, numbness, weakness, trouble moving your arms or hands, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, nausea, headache, lump in your neck, or fever, it’s time to see your doctor.
Your doctor might run some blood tests, lumbar puncture, electromyography, CT scans or MRI scans to determine the nature of your problem. They will diagnose the condition and prescribe a treatment accordingly.
In cases where you’ve had a fall or accident that damages your neck, get immediate medical help.
Sciatica
Sciatica occurs in the sciatic nerve present in your gluteal area. It can result from bone spur or herniated disk and produces inflammation in nerves in the leg region. Usually, this condition impacts only one side of the body.
Other sciatica symptoms include muscle weakness, tingling, numbness, and other unpleasant sensations in the foot, leg, or toes.
Sciatica is fairly common, and it can cause severe pain in the buttocks, lower back, or down the legs since these are present along the sciatic nerve pathway. However, if you experience loss of bladder or bowel function, weakness, or numbness in the leg, it’s time to seek immediate medical care. Moreover, if you’ve had a severe injury and feel pain in the neck, it’s time for professional assessment.
Some risk factors that can increase the chances of sciatica include diabetes, obesity, advancing age, prolonged sitting, and jobs that demand physical strain, such as carrying heavy loads
Prevention is better than cure, so stay physically active, maintain a good posture and avoid lifting heavy objects to reduce the risk of sciatica.
If you’re looking for lower back pain treatment, we can help. At Active X Backs, we provide useful resources and the best Osteopathy services in Edinburgh by adhering to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s pain guidelines. Get in touch with us today or visit our Osteopath Clinic in Edinburgh.
