Spinal stenosis is a condition that primarily affects people who are over the age of 50 to 60 years old and may be treated with surgery if necessary.

At a basic level, spinal stenosis is the degradation of the spine and can lead to pain and discomfort in the lower back, hips, legs and feet. About 25% of the cases of spinal stenosis affect the shoulders, arms and upper body as well. Some people with spinal stenosis do not experience pain, but they may have numbness throughout their body.

Spinal stenosis is age related and can specifically be caused by osteoarthritis, degeneration of the discs in the back and ligaments that have thickened.

There are a few other specifics that can cause spinal stenosis as well, from tumors to genetic disorders.

Types of Spinal Stenosis

There are two main types of spinal stenosis. They are cervical spinal stenosis and lumbar spinal stenosis. In lumbar spinal stenosis, your loved one will experience pain, tingling and numbness in the lower back, legs and buttocks. Lumbar spinal stenosis causes the spinal nerves in the lumbar, or lower back, to be compressed. Usually pain from lumbar spinal stenosis will increase with activity.

Cervical spinal stenosis, or neck spinal stenosis, is more dangerous, as it can compress the spinal cord and can even lead to paralysis that is usually reversible with surgery. In this case the actual spinal cord is compressed instead of nerve compression as is the case in lumbar spinal stenosis.

If you are the caregiver of someone with spinal stenosis it is important that you understand some of the ways you can help treat spinal stenosis. Once your loved one is diagnosed with spinal stenosis, several treatment methods can be employed.

People with spinal stenosis can generally take care of themselves, but as the caregiver, you may need to monitor their medication intake in order to make sure they are taking the prescribed amount.

You may need to advise your loved one suffering from spinal stenosis that exercise can help. Setting up an exercise program for them may be one of your responsibilities. When a person is able to build up the muscles in the back, the spinal stenosis will improve significantly.

Working with your loved one to exercise and build up the muscles will help as mentioned above.

There are several exercises they can do including:

• – Back extensions
• – Rowing
• – Yoga
• – Pilates

If your loved one had surgery for spinal stenosis, working with them to slowly build up the strength in their back will be very beneficial. Always watch for infection after surgery as well. Home health aides can also be beneficial for a time after any surgery and can provide things like:

• – Assistance with movement out of bed, using the bathroom facilities, and bathing.

• – Helping with planning the best diet for your loved one.

• – Showing them exercises they can begin doing as they heal. Not only will these strengthen the back, it can speed healing overall.

Many people who have spinal stenosis try some type of home treatment like compression, icing, heat or massage in conjunction with over the counter pain relievers.

Usually focusing on the area of the spine that is causing pain can bring relief. Making sure you are talking to your loved one about the importance of avoiding other injuries can be important as well.

Those who have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis may find relief when using a cane or walker as well. Not only will your loved one be able to get around by themselves, a walker or cane can help give them balance and even relieve pain by allowing them to bend forward, releasing pressure on the discs.

Another thing that can help ease the pain and numbness of spinal stenosis is weight loss. If your loved one is overweight, one of the things you can do for them as a caregiver is make sure they are eating a balanced diet. You may also want to suggest an exercise like swimming which can not only ease the pain of spinal stenosis, but can help your loved one lose weight.

Care of Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a neurological condition that can be treated via several methods, however, it is important as the caregiver of someone suffering from spinal stenosis, that you make sure your loved one is comfortable with any treatment method you decide to use.

It is important that they get treatment of some kind as it will help them be more active. Working closely with their doctor will help find the best treatment for spinal stenosis and before you know it, your loved one will be back on their feet again.