Did you know that car accidents may lead to spinal stenosis? While the most common cause of spinal stenosis is arthritis that wears down the spine, car accidents may be responsible as well. If you have spinal stenosis, you may not be able to detect symptoms as it might not manifest in any sensations. However, over time, if it gets worse, it may cause pain. So, what do you do to alleviate this pain? Keep reading to learn what spinal stenosis is in the first place and whether spinal stenosis massage treatment is effective.
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
The word stenosis has a Greek origin and means “narrowing”. So, as you would guess, spinal stenosis means the narrowing of the spine. Well, not the spine, exactly. Your spine consists of spinal bones that protect your spinal canal through which your spinal cord runs from your brainstem to your lower back.
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal caused by the growth of extra bones on the spine due to arthritis or Paget’s disease, herniated disks, thick ligaments, tumors, or spinal injuries. During a car accident, spinal bones might break or move out of place, putting pressure on the spinal cord.
Spinal stenosis is categorized into two types based on location. It can be either cervical or lumbar. Cervical spinal stenosis affects your neck, while lumbar spinal stenosis affects the lower back.
Can Spinal Stenosis Massage Treatment Help?
After a car accident, when the bones are out of place, nearby tissues swell. Massage helps improve blood flow, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach the affected areas and promoting healing. Massage also helps alleviate pressure that builds up in the body due to pain caused by spinal stenosis. As a result, those with spinal stenosis can move freely.
Any car accident is a traumatic event, both physically and mentally. If you still feel anxious after what happened, spinal stenosis massage treatment is a great way for you to relax. Chiropractic treatment is a practice that doesn’t rely on drugs to alleviate stress, which means it doesn’t have potential side effects.
When it comes to cervical spinal stenosis, in particular, acupuncture may be effective, according to research. Acupuncturists target the Bladder and Kidney meridians to alleviate low back pain.
Another great way to manage spinal stenosis is through physical therapy. If you had to stay inactive for some time after a car accident, strengthening your back, stomach, and leg muscles through exercise is essential.
Is Massage Always the Best Treatment for Spinal Stenosis?
It is important that you consult with your healthcare provider. If spinal stenosis is severe, surgery may be necessary. For example, severe spinal stenosis may cause cauda equina syndrome, which is not life-threatening but may cause permanent paralysis. You should go to an emergency room if you suddenly lose control of your bowels or bladder, if you experience progressive numbness between your legs, inner thighs, or back of your legs, or if you experience severe pain in one or both legs.
At New Jersey Pain & Injury Center, we are here to help you alleviate pain due to spinal stenosis through chiropractic care, acupuncture, or physical therapy. Fill out our patient form today.
