Your spinal nerves travel through your spinal canal and exit through openings we call “foramen.” If any of these spaces are too narrow, your nerves become compressed. We say you have “stenosis.” It’s a problem that most often happens in the neck and lower back. If your back pain limits your mobility or causes discomfort, contact the University Pain and Spine Center for expert diagnosis and treatment. Our team serves Central NJ and the Greater NYC area.
Stenosis can occur in different areas of your spine, with each type presenting unique challenges and symptoms.
This problem affects the spinal nerves in your neck. Cervical spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal. That’s the space your spinal nerves travel through. In a healthy spine, the spinal canal protects these nerves. It keeps them free from injury. But with cervical spinal stenosis, the spinal canal is too narrow, and your nerves get compressed. This type of stenosis can cause neck pain, arm weakness, and numbness in the hands and fingers.
This condition affects the thoracic spine between the neck and the lower back. Spinal stenosis (thoracic) is a narrowing of the spinal canal that results from degeneration of bones in the spine, disc herniation, or thickening of the tissues that surround the spinal cord. Thoracic stenosis is less common than other types but can cause significant discomfort and mobility issues.
Lumbar stenosis occurs in the lower back and is the most common form of this condition. This type of narrowing typically causes lower back pain, leg pain, and difficulty walking. The narrowing of the spinal canal in the lumbar region can compress nerve roots, leading to symptoms that worsen with standing or walking and improve when sitting or leaning forward.
Stenosis often results from age-related wear and tear, but other factors include:
A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer, potentially compressing nearby nerves and contributing to canal narrowing. This herniated disc condition can cause significant pain and may require specialized treatment.
Mild stenosis might not cause noticeable symptoms. However, if you experience persistent back or neck pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your extremities, it’s time to see a specialist.
Our team provides comprehensive evaluations, including a review of symptoms and imaging studies such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, to pinpoint the severity and location of stenosis.
Treatment for stenosis depends on the severity of your condition and symptoms. Our comprehensive approach includes:
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in managing stenosis symptoms through targeted exercises that strengthen supporting muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance posture. Our physical therapy programs are customized to each patient’s needs and can significantly reduce pain while improving mobility and function.
If your back pain is affecting your quality of life, contact or schedule an appointment online with the University Pain and Spine Center today.
