Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is usually caused by a type of arthritis that affects the lower spine. It is also referred to as spinal osteoarthritis which is a wear and tear type of arthritis that most of us get as we age. Some people will develop extensive arthritis which will lead to thickening of the spinal joints and thinning of the spinal discs causing narrowing of the spinal canals. The narrowed canals can lead to compression of the spinal nerves that travel through the canals to the lower back and legs. LSS is one of the most common causes of disability and loss of independence in older adults. With the aging population, the number of people who will develop this condition is expected to grow dramatically in the next 20 years
Compression of the spinal nerves due to LSS can cause pain, burning, numbness, tingling, and weakness of the legs, buttock, and lower back. Symptoms usually come on when standing and walking because the standing and walking posture further narrows the spinal canals. People with LSS can only stand or walk for short periods of time — which significantly impacts their quality of life. Many are compelled to live a more sedentary life style which leads to further decline in their overall health.
Surgery is an option for only a minority of people with LSS because of the potential risks involved with surgery in the older population. Among those who have surgery the results are usually positive but the benefits generally diminish over time. It is recommended that before surgery is contemplated, a course of non-surgical treatment is tried first. However, what constitutes non-operative treatment for LSS is currently not known.
Dr. Carlo Ammendolia DC, PhD and his research team have developed a new treatment approach with the focus of improving standing and walking ability in patients with LSS. The overall goal of the program is to improve the quality of life and maintain independence among the growing number of people who have LSS. The program combines manual therapy, specific exercises, instruction on body re-positioning techniques and self-management strategies. Manual therapy uses a special table that helps align the spine to maximize the openings of the spinal nerves. Special exercises helps restore weak back and leg muscles and when combined with body alignment strategies, help to reduce the pressure on the compressed nerves when standing and walking. It is known that changing body alignment can reduce symptoms. LSS is a chronic problem and learning how to live more effectively with it using self-management strategies allows you to become more in control and therefore better able to cope with LSS.
The publication of this information on our website has been authorized by Dr. Carlo Ammendolia and spinemobility
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Everyone is different, so why should everyone get the same cookie-cutter treatment plan? At Key Spine Care, we take the time to conduct a thorough examination and learn what are your unique wellness goals. ONLY AFTER these two steps are completed, and we have determined your individualized diagnosis, do we create a comprehensive and individualized plan to help you resume doing what you love — without the use of rest, pills, injections, or surgery!
At Key Spine Care, we focus on ACTIVE over passive treatment plans, and for good reason. Expert doctors and therapists all agree: An ideal treatment approach encompasses more active than passive methods. If your doctor or therapist is heavily reliant on passive methods such as massage, electric stimulation, heat/ice, kinesiotaping, and posture correction, that is a red flag. In our opinion, treatment plans that rely primarily or exclusively on passive methods such as spinal adjustments, massages, vibration beds, etc. are NOT addressing the underlying issue but rather are masking the symptoms and providing short-term symptom modification.
This is why we proudly and exclusively only offer 1:1 care (e.g. no assistants or PTAs, just you and the doctor for the entire appointment, every time), we work together as a team to implement our shared plan to treat and prevent your symptoms.
While we love our 1:1 time with our patients, we also do NOT want you to be locked into a never-ending treatment plan of 2-3 visits per week for life! Most of our treatment plans are 12 visits or less as we prioritize teaching you how to:
