5 Things You Need to Know about Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is one of the most common conditions resulting in neck and low back pain in men and women. Here’s what you need to know about this condition:

1. What is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a condition characterized by narrowing of the spinal canal and/or neuroforamen leading to compression of the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. The compression results in inflammation and pain.

2. Causes of Spinal Stenosis

Generally, spinal stenosis results from an injury to spine or a disease. Osteoarthritis (spondylosis) is the most common cause of the condition in which the cartilage that cushions joints begins to degenerate. Stenosis may also occur in individuals genetically prone to the disease. Some of the other causes include spinal injury, herniated discs, and bulging discs.

3. Non-Surgical Treatments for Spinal Stenosis

There are several non-surgical treatment options doctors recommend for spinal stenosis. These include:

- Acupuncture to relieve pain
- Massage to relieve pain
- Low impact exercise to strengthen core muscles to impart spinal support. This relieves pain
- Swimming
- Over-the-counter NSAIDs to minimize inflammation and pain
- Physical therapy
- Epidural steroid injection for several spinal stenosis

4. Surgery for Spinal Stenosis

Most patients respond well to non-surgical treatments. However, under some situations your spine doctor may suggest a surgical procedure. These conditions include:

When medication and/or a combination of other non-surgical treatments fails to reduce pain and symptoms

- Severe pain that is becoming worse
- Loss of bladder/bowel control
- Partial/total loss of sensation
- Pain, numbness, tingling in the arms or legs
- Reduced or loss of function/strength in your arms or legs

5. Types of Surgeries Performed for Spinal Stenosis

The most common surgical procedures performed for treating spine stenosis include:

- Fusion
- Decompression
- Stabilization

4 Tips to Maintain Healthy Spine

Spine is one of the most important structures of human body. Unfortunately, it is also the most abused and least cared about structure. The only time we care about spine is when it is attacked by certain conditions such as pain, herniated disc, strained muscles, spinal stenosis, etc.
It is possible to maintain a healthy spine by making some lifestyle changes. Here are a few tips to help you maintain a healthy and happy spine:

Right Mattress

Do you let your spine relax while sleeping? Your spine works very hard all day. It needs to relax and rejuvenate at night. Choose a mattress and pillow that allows your spine to rest in a comfortable way. The choice of pillow and mattress depends on your sleep positions and specific back or neck condition. However, make sure the mattress offers you ample support. There should be minimum tossing and turning while you sleep.

Pay Attention to Warning Signs

Do not ignore spinal pain or problems. Although back pain once in a while is common, it may also indicate a more serious or an underlying problem. If left untreated, these issues may worsen with time and even become serious. Listen to your body and avoid over exerting at gym or work. Self-medication to relieve symptoms can also be dangerous. Seek medical care or visit a reputed spine center to learn about your spine and get apt treatment
.
Maintain a Healthy Body Weight

This is important if you want to keep your spine happy and healthy. So maintain a schedule of exercise and a healthy diet. Obesity is one of the major risk factors for low back pain. Belly fat is dangerous. It can add extra stress on the ligaments, muscles, and tendons of lower back. So avoid putting on excess weight.

Strengthen your Core

Focus on exercising your core. This is important to strengthen your abs and back muscles. Strong and supple core (lower back and abdominal muscles) will support your spine. Adding strength to these muscles will help you to take pressure off lower back. Most of us do not use core muscles during daily activities. These should be tone through specific, targeted exercises. You can perform these exercises daily by sparing around 30 minutes. 

Health center of the anatomy of the spine

The spine is a complex and intricate construction that includes a variety of nerves, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles, weaving together. The spine is designed to be very strong, with a lot of flexibility in the lower back and neck.

The column is that the pillar of the physique whose modification enabled the primary hominids to run upright and whose health depends on what will still be done nowadays. In the face of the pain generated by spinal diseases, you complain and stoop, but do you know what they are and what pains they cause?
Within every of the forms that an unwellness associated with the spine will adopt, surgery is established because the pis aller, since its initial expected that nature can regenerate and then conservative measures square measure meted out with specific care or antibiotics.

However, the simplest thanks to not reach now is good judgment since if you are taking care of the column as a juvenile person, it'll last longer.

A column specialist is a health professional who focuses primarily on the treatment of spinal conditions. Some of the most common specialists are: chiropractors, physiatrists, physiotherapists, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, physicians for pain management, anesthesiologists and many rheumatologists and neurologists. The selection of the most appropriate type of health professional - or team of health professionals - depends, in large part, on the nature, severity, and duration of patient symptoms.        

The spine center seeks to prevent, diagnose and offer treatment and rehabilitation for the various diseases that affect the spine, in children and adults.

In order to deliver comprehensive treatments, which definitively solve the problems of the spine of the patients, each case is evaluated in clinical meetings by a multidisciplinary team, made up of renowned spinal surgeons, traumatologists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroradiologists, physiatrists, rheumatologists, psychologists and kinesiologists, among other specialists.

The spine center offers diverse treatment options and extensive experience with non-surgical and operative therapies for diseases and injuries of the spine.

The spine center has a modern surgery unit. These include, for example, intraoperative computed tomography (CT) or CT-assisted surgical navigation.

Minimally invasive and microsurgical procedures as well as the use of modern surgical instruments such as the ultrasound scalpel (Ultracision) enable procedures with only minor tissue injuries.

The spine center treats diseases such as disc narrowing, the narrowing of the spinal nerve canal (spinal canal stenosis) or degenerative and idiopathic scoliosis.

The social impact of pain

Diseases of the spine are typically terribly visible because of the physical suffering they cause and therefore the abnormal posture of the sufferer.

Nowadays, medical advances permit to regulate these pains through totally different techniques:

•    Infiltrations between the bone and the dura
•    Injecting a syringe of morphine into the hard mother.
•    Implanting of electrodes between the envelope and the back of the cord because they give information to the brain easing the pain.

The management or elimination of those pathologies through surgery permits patients to develop a degree of independence that will not be potential while not medical intervention.

The multidisciplinary medical team specializes in the following areas:

•    Non-surgical treatment for trauma of the spine
•    Minimally invasive surgery for treatment of the spine
•    Pain control for acute and chronic neck and back pain
•    Treatments for congenital deformities of the spine
•    The latest advances in emergency treatment for traumas of the spine
•    Post-operative rehabilitation programs for the care of our patients

If you suffer from back pain, hardness of the neck or pain in the arms and legs, seek medical attention and consider a consultation and treatment in a specialized team.

The spine center offers rehabilitation and physical therapy programs to help the patient restore their mobility and the health of their spine. Exercise and physical therapy are important components in the recovery process after a clinical procedure. The team of physiotherapists will guide you during the program and help create a long-term maintenance program for the care and support of your column.

There are several alternative treatments that can benefit the health of the spine. Some patients seek these types of alternative treatments to augment or complement traditional medical treatments.

There are several treatments of ancestral cultures that have become standard treatments for Western cultures. These include acupuncture, aromatic therapy, Reike, psychoanalysis and hypnosis. These treatments are designed to assist the patient by helping to reduce tension and pain and often reduce medications.

Determining The Best Sleeping Position for Your Back Pain

Back pain may really tough for you to get a comfortable good night's sleep. Unfortunately, what most people do not understand is the way you sleep may make things worse. Some positions may put a lot of strain on aching back. On the other hand, some positions may help get relief from pain.

Experts have revealed a strong link between back pain and sleep problems. It is also believed that sleep problems lead to increase in the intensity of back pain. Sleep deprivation can affect mood and functional ability. It also has a negative impact on the perception of pain. Pain affects sleep quality resulting in a lighter sleep state. Patients tend to wake more frequently throughout the night.

As per a study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine (November 2016 issue), there's a strong link between the severity of pain, function ability and one's overall mood. It was revealed that a good night of sleep will reduce these symptoms.

So is there a specific sleep position that helps you to fight off back pain or ease pain? Yes. There are some favourable and worst sleep positions that can affect back pain. You can choose these positions only after knowing the actual cause of back pain or the type you are suffering from.

Here's What You Need to Know:

Spinal Stenosis

If you suffer from this condition, sleeping on your side in a curled-up position may help you reduce symptoms. This will take significant pressure off your nerve root. Sleeping on the back will also offer you a lot of relief.

Lumbar Herniated Disc

The preferred sleeping position will depend on the exact location of your herniated disc. For instance, if you are diagnosed with paracentral herniation, sleeping on the stomach will help. On the other hand, sleeping on the side in a curled-up position is helpful for forminal herniation.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Under this condition, you will get relief from your symptoms by sleeping on the stomach. You can also place a slim pillow between your hips/stomach and mattress.

Maintaining Sleep Hygiene

In addition to finding the appropriate sleeping position, practicing good sleep hygiene also plays an important role in helping people with back pain both fall asleep and stay asleep. For example, the perfect sleeping position won't be enough to help you fall asleep if you drink a cup of coffee right before bed.

Additionally, while it may sound too simple, good sleep hygiene practices like maintaining a consistent bedtime, avoiding the use of electronics before bed, and giving up day-time naps can all help with your sleep-related problems.

It is important to note that back pain and sleep-related problems need to be treated together. So if your back pain is keeping you awake at night, make sure to tell your doctor about your back pain problem so you can work together to formulate a treatment plan that tackles both problems.

Beware of Worst Sleep Positions for Back Pain

Did you know certain sleep positions can place added pressure on the shoulders, neck, hips, knees, lower back, and even heels? This will be quite painful. First, it is important to understand that There’s no one-size-fits-all sleep position to get rid of back pain. Avoiding the following pattern will definitely help:

Sleeping on Stomach - Most people sleep on the stomach. This can flatten the natural curve of the spine, adding more strain on back muscles. Additionally, sleeping on stomach keeps neck rotated, resulting in neck pain, back pain and pain between your shoulders. The problem can be controlled by altering sleep positions at night. Sleeping position when maintained for longer periods can amplify back pain.

Sitting A Lot – If you sit for a long period of time during waking hours, you are actually inviting back and neck pain. Experts believe that most people sit too long and in an improper way. They sit slouched with backs rounded. So varying your posture as far as possible and practising good posture when standing and sitting will ease back pain at night.

Comfort Factor

First, you’ve got to be comfortable to get a good night’s sleep. All you need to do is make some simple changes to your regular sleep positions. These are apt to take a load off your back:

Pillow Under Knees – This will help only if you are a back sleeper. Simply place a pillow under your knees. This allows your spine to maintain its natural curve.
Pillow Under Lower Abdomen - Stomach sleepers must place a pillow under lower abdomen and pelvis. This helps ease back strain.
Pillow Between Knees - Side sleepers will benefit from this. Draw your legs up slightly toward your chest. Sleep with a pillow between your knees.

Choosing the Right Mattress and Pillow for Sleep

Have you given a thought about this? When choosing a mattress and pillow, the best factors to take into consideration are preference and comfort. Some prefer the firm harder mattresses while others are more comfortable on a soft mattress. You may also use a contoured pillow to alleviate neck strain.

To Sum Up

The above information comprises of only general guidelines. Finding the best sleeping position for your back pain is mainly a process of trial and error. Try maintaining a journal right next to your bed in which you will record how you feel each morning.

In case, you don't feel any significant improvement in back pain despite making a few changes to your sleep position, it may be time to get some medical opinion. Your doctor may check for any potentially serious problems.

Scoliosis Surgery – The Process

Surgery is usually recommended to treat severe scoliosis. The surgery works towards severe spinal curve. It results in a perfectly straight spine. However, the main goal is to ensure overall spinal balance and prevent curve from getting worse. The scoliosis surgery usually involves stabilizing of spine and preventing curve from getting worse through a process of joining vertebrae together permanently.

Considerations to Make Before Surgery:

• Age of patient
• Size, direction, and location of the spinal curve(s).
• If any other treatment (e.g. bracing) has failed to produce results in the past.

Surgery is an Option under the following cases:

If the child has a moderate to severe curve
An adult suffers from severe with curve getting worse
Pain or discomfort while undertaking day to day activities
Bracing does not work
Doctors feel braces cannot be used

Surgical Options

Spinal Fusion

The primary type of scoliosis surgery involves a spinal fusion after attaching rods to the spine. The process of spinal fusion will work towards stabilizing and decreasing the overall size of the curve. It also effectively stops the curve from getting worse via joining the vertebrae permanently into a solid mass of bone.

Instrumentation

This is yet another technique undertaken without any fusion. Here, the surgeon will attach devices such as metal rods to the spine with an aim to stabilize a spinal curve sans fusing the spine together. The process is only recommended for very young children when a fusion that stops growth of the spine's fused part is no more required. The child has to wear a brace full-time post surgery.

What to Know

The timing of surgery for scoliosis in children is controversial. Spinal fusion stops the growth of the fused part of the spine, so some experts believe that surgery should be delayed until the child is at least 10 years old and preferably 12. But even after surgery the rest of the spine will continue to grow normally in children who are still growing.

Surgical treatment in children and teens usually requires several days in the hospital and limitations on activity for approximately a year. In adults, the average hospital stay is longer.

Adults who have surgery for scoliosis that results from changes in the spine due to ageing (degenerative scoliosis) are more likely than children to have significant complications. Even though surgery usually reduces their pain, other complications, such as wound infections, may occur.

Scoliosis - Other Treatment

Other treatments for scoliosis surgery recommended include:

Observation - A mild spinal curve is growing children may require regular checkups every 4 to 6 months. This will help the doctor keep tabs on the curve and make out if it is getting worse.

Bracing – Wearing a brace is a part of orthotic treatment which is usually used for a child with moderate curve. The bracing technique is very effective in preventing the curve from getting worse as the child grows. Doctors usually recommend patients to continue with the treatment until the skeleton stops growing.

Other Options – Doctors also recommend spinal manipulation, corrective exercises, and electrical stimulation as a part of scoliosis treatment. However, there is no evidence that these make for effective treatments for the condition.

9 Best Treatment Options for Low Back Pain

There is no single or sure shot cure for low back pain for most people. In fact, it usually takes a whole process of trial and error to determine the best options. The best treatment for low back pain depends on varied factors such as medical history of patient, type of pain and severity of pain. Most types of lower back pain cases get better within a period of 6 weeks without surgery.

Listed below are the best treatment options for Low Back Pain:

1. Trust Endorphins

These feel 'happy' hormones are made naturally in the human body. Unfortunately, most people are unaware of the power of endorphins. These are as strong as any pain medication available on the market! Release of endorphins in the body help with blocking all pain signals from registering with a  brain. The miracle hormones are also helpful in alleviating stress, anxiety, and depression. All of these emotions are mainly associated with chronic back pain. These tend to make the pain worse.

2. Yoga is Helpful

Studies have revealed that taking 12 weeks of classes offers significant improvements in function for adults suffering from chronic low back pain.

3. Pain Medications

Medicines are known to reduce low back pain and reduce muscle spasms. However, medicines alone aren't effective for low back pain. It is always suggested to use medicines along with other treatments, heat therapy, cold therapy, exercises, etc. Here are some of the medication choices usually recommended by doctors, depending on the duration of pain, symptoms you have, and patient's medical history:

Muscle Relaxants – The medicines are helpful for fighting bad muscle spasms off. These are also effective for low back pain.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs – Doctors may prescribe ibuprofen and naproxen. These can also be bought without a prescription (milder does).

Opiate Pain Relievers - These are strong medicines prescribed to ease sudden, severe back pain that cannot be controlled by other medications. It takes around 1 to 2 weeks to see effects.

Antidepressants – These include amitriptyline and duloxetine. The medicines treat depression and may also help with chronic pain.

Other medicines used for low back pain less frequently include the following:

Botox Injection – The shot into the back muscles is known to offer relief for patients. However, it is not well tested for chronic low back pain.

Injections  (Anesthetic or Steroid) - These are prescribed for chronic low back pain. However, these have not been researched enough to reveal the effectiveness for back pain. They may offer short-term relief from leg pain resulting from persistent back problems.

Anticonvulsants - These are used to treat low back pain only in some cases.

Since each person is different from other, medicines that work for some may not work for others. So let your doctor know how the medicine fares for you.

4. Massage

Chronic low back pain sufferers benefit from massages. It is revealed from research that patients who got weekly massages reported less pain. The result was seen after a period of 10 weeks. Massage is found helpful for muscle related pain resulting from tight hamstrings.

5. Surgery

The decision for surgery depends on the mutual decision of doctor and patient. A qualified spine surgeon will explain a patient the pros and cons of varied procedure ideal for the condition. Surgery has proved helpful for laminectomy, sciatica, and microdiscectomy. It can reduce pain symptoms significantly by relieving the pressure on compressed nerve roots. Another option is fusion surgery,  which can be used for stopping motion at a motion segment. This is known to be a more extensive version of the surgery. It can be very effective for relieving pain.

6. Restorative Sleep

Inadequate sleep can make back pain worse. Hence, it is important to focus on some restorative sleep. Address sleep problems and get enough of it. Remove all distractions from your bedroom and create a soothing environment to lull yourself to sleep.

7. Cold and/or Hot Therapy

Although traditional and outdated (for modern age individuals), it is not wise to underestimate the pain reduction possibility via applying cold packs and/or hot packs. These are very effective for reducing lower back pain and boosts healing process. Cold application minimizes inflammation, which is usually a major contributor of back pain. Hot therapy acts as a local anesthetic via slowing down nerve impulses to prevent nerves from spasming and causing pain.

8. Hamstrings Stretch

Stretching hamstrings twice daily will work! Tight hamstrings are one of the major contributor to lower back pain. These can stress, lower back and sacroiliac joints resulting in pain. Be careful while stretching hamstrings. Your doctor will suggest you a variety of gentle stretching exercises that should not hurt.

9. Acupuncture

This is yet another excellent option for patients with low back pain. According to various studies, patients with lower back pain who had undergone needle treatment shown more improvement in condition than those receiving conventional care.

Visit the best treatment center for low back pain : www.spinecentermiami.com

Spondylolisthesis – Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Spondylolisthesis can be defined as a condition that results in sliding off one of the back bones (vertebra) forward over the bone under it. The condition mainly occurs in the lower spine (lumbosacral). In certain cases, the condition may squeeze spinal cord or nerve roots resulting in back pain and numbness or weakness in one or both legs.

In some rare cases, spondylolisthesis will result in loss of control over bladder or bowels. Under such conditions, it is crucial to get in touch with a doctor without delay. Patients may not experience any symptoms when vertebra slips out of place. But years later, they may feel some discomfort or pain in the low back or buttock.

Causes

The spinal bones may come together at various smaller joints that keep the bones lined up and allowing them to move. Spondylolisthesis is usually caused by an issue with one or more of these small joints, allowing a bone to move out of line.

Here are some of the common problems in small back joints that leads to Spondylolisthesis:

• Any congenital (since birth) defective joint.
• Any joint damaged in an accident or other kind of trauma.
• A vertebra with a stress fracture caused due to joint overuse.
• A joint damaged due to an infection or arthritis.

Spondylolisthesis may affect both children and teens involved in sports. There are some sports that tend to overuse backbones such as weight lifting, gymnastics, etc. These  causing stress fractures in vertebrae leading to spondylolisthesis.

Older adults may develop spondylolisthesis. This is due to wear and tear of back leading to stressful fractures. It may also occur when there are no stress fractures, but the disc and joints get worn down and slip out of their original place.

Symptoms

The major symptoms of spondylolisthesis may include the following listed below:

• Back pain and discomfort
• Buttock pain
• Pain running from the lower back down one / both legs
• Numbness in one / both legs
• Difficulty walking
• Pain in leg, back, or buttock which which gets worse as and when you bend over or twist
• Weakness in one or both legs
• Loss of bladder control (rare case)
• Loss of bowel control (rare case)

Unfortunately, sometimes spondylolisthesis may show no symptoms at all.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will look at X-rays of your back if he or she suspects you have spondylolisthesis. X-rays will show if any of the vertebrae in your back have fractures or cracks and have slipped out of place. You could also have a CT scan or an MRI to pinpoint the damage and help guide treatment.

Treatment Options

No Activities - Treatment for spondylolisthesis starts with  patient stopping any or all physical activities that the specialist may suspect have caused damage to the vertebrae.

Drugs - Pain relief is brought by prescribing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to patients.

Physical Therapy – Most doctors will recommend physical therapy so as to build up stomach and back muscles. This facilitates core strengthening activity. Weight loss is recommended in overweight (obese) individuals.

Surgery – It is recommended when patients complain of extreme pain. Under cases, where bones don't stop moving, or damage to nerve root or spinal cord is detected, doctors suggest surgery. Surgery is usually done so as to remove bone or other tissues to remove pressure from the spinal cord or nerves (decompression).

Sometimes, surgery may be done so as to fuse the bones in position.

Rehabilitation Therapy – This is given to patients post surgery in order to make muscles stronger and facilitate movement.

Complications

Spondylolisthesis is usually followed by persistent pain. Patients may experience reduced mobility and inactivity. Remaining inactive for a long time leads to weight gain, bone density loss, and loss of muscle strength, and reduced flexibility in other parts of the body.

Is Prevention Possible?

Spondylolisthesis is not completely preventable. However, there are certain steps you can take in order to reduce risk:

• Maintain back and abdominal muscle strength. This will help you provide ample support to the back.

• Staying active is important. However, you must choose activities and sports that do not risk your lower back. Some of the best options are swimming and biking.

• Maintaining a healthy body weight is important. Excess weight tends to put more stress on your lower back making it vulnerable to slips.

• Always consume a well-balanced diet. This will provide your bones ample nourishment and strength.