What is Spinal Stenosis? – Chiropractor near Smithtown

Spinal stenosis refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal. Bundles of nerves travel through the spinal canal to your neck, back, and legs. When the spinal canal narrows, adequate spacing is no longer provided. This causes the nerves to squeeze tightly together, often resulting in a feeling of pain or numbness. If you are feeling pain in your back or neck, be sure to make an appointment with Dr. Raymond Semente, a chiropractor near Smithtown. Dr. Semente has served the Long Island Community for several years and has seen cases of spinal stenosis in the past.

Causes of Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis most commonly occurs naturally as a person ages. Spinal stenosis may also be induced by other medical conditions such as:

Naturally narrow spinal canal.
Osteoarthritis.
Bone overgrowth or bone spurs.
Herniated disc.
Tumors.
Prior spinal injuries.

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

There are various symptoms associated with spinal stenosis, and each person may experience them differently. Additionally, there are two categories of spinal stenosis: lumbar and cervical. Lumbar spinal stenosis is located in the back, while cervical spinal stenosis is located in the neck. Lumbar spinal stenosis is more common and usually causes symptoms such as pain, burning, or numbness in the back, legs, or feet. Cramping may also occur as a result of bending over or walking. As for cervical spinal stenosis, symptoms usually include pain, weakness, or numbness in the neck, arms, or hands, or difficulty balancing. In extreme cases, either type of spinal stenosis can lead to bowel or bladder dysfunction. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to contact a chiropractor near Smithtown to get the help you need.

Spinal Stenosis Treatment

While there is no single cure for spinal stenosis, there are quite a few suggestions patients can participate in to reduce the pain considerably. Most commonly, physical therapists can work with you to create a personal plan that will help stretch and strengthen your back, leg, and stomach muscles. Spinal Decompression Therapy, performed by Dr. Raymond Semente, focuses on the spine and treats back issues like herniated discs and pinched nerves that can contribute to spinal stenosis. Aside from physical therapy, patients can also opt for massage therapy or acupuncture that can help in reducing pain.

Dr. Semente, a chiropractor near Smithtown, has a great team of experts who perform both massage therapy and acupuncture at their St. James location. Medications like anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, and antidepressants can also help to reduce pain, but using physical therapy, or even surgery, to avoid opioids is the best course of action for any patient. Surgery is usually the last option after physical therapy and other types of exercises and is used to widen the spinal canal and relieve pressure from your spinal cord.

Chiropractor Near Smithtown

If any of these symptoms pertain to you, it is time to call a chiropractor near Smithtown. Feeling better in your body is always the goal here at Dr. Raymond Semente’s Chiropractic office. With various treatment options like physical therapy, massage therapy, and acupuncture, we are ready to help you feel your best! Contact us today to learn more about spinal stenosis and to find out how we can help you get the relief you deserve!