Acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (eg, Motrin, Advil), and naproxen (eg, Aleve) are examples of OTC analgesics that your doctor may recommend for spinal stenosis. While some analgesics only relieve pain (such as acetaminophen), others reduce pain and inflammation.
Heated and cold compresses: A heat compress or a hot shower will help to loosen up muscles, while cool compresses alleviate inflammation. Both can be used as needed in the affected areas. Over-the-counter medications: Pain medications can provide some temporary relief of discomfort, pain and inflammation.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs—commonly called NSAIDs—relieve pain by reducing inflammation of nerve roots and spine joints, thereby creating more space in the spinal canal. Types of NSAIDs include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen.
Spinal stenosis is commonly treated with medication, both over-the-counter and prescription. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain and inflammation. Examples of over-the-counter NSAIDs include aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
Many over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen work well, but there are prescription medications as well, such as Voltaren (diclofenac) and Naproxin (naproxen).
Bend forward, backward, and sideways. Your pain may worsen with these movements. Lift your legs straight up while lying down. If the pain is worse when you do this, you may have sciatica, especially if you also feel numbness or tingling in one of your legs.
For superficial joints – like hands, wrists and even knees – it can be very effective. However, the joints of the cervical spine in the neck, and most of the shoulder joint, are deeper than the Voltaren can penetrate. Voltaren is not appreciably absorbed into the blood, so all of its actions are local.
Lifestyle changes: Don't underestimate the power of a firm mattress, good posture, and proper lifting techniques. Alternative therapies: Some patients may get some pain relief by working with a chiropractor or by trying acupuncture or biofeedback.
A decompression laminectomy is the gold standard of surgery for treating spinal stenosis. This surgery removes the bony spurs and buildup of bone in the spinal canal, giving more room for the spinal cord and nerves.
Medications such as cyclobenzaprine (Amrix, Flexeril) can calm the muscle spasms that sometimes occur with spinal stenosis.
Walking, standing, or extending the lumbar area of the spine can cause symptoms to worsen. Sitting or flexing the lower back or neck may relieve symptoms.
High-impact activities: Activities that involve high-impact, such as jumping, running, or contact sports, should be avoided as they can cause further injury to the spine. Heavy lifting: Heavy lifting can put a lot of stress on your spine and exacerbate your symptoms.
Weill Cornell Medicine Pain Management offers a new technology to treat spinal stenosis and minimize the painful symptoms. Vertiflex superion is a device that is implanted into the area of the spine causing pain and relieves pressure on the affected nerves.
Spinal Stenosis
With this condition, it may be preferable to sleep on the sides with the knees curled up (in the fetal position). This helps relieve pressure on the nerve root. Sleeping in a reclining chair or an adjustable bed that allows the head and knees to remain elevated can also relieve pressure on the nerve.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, water loss causes discs to collapse between vertebrae resulting in injury. Injuries like spinal stenosis, degenerative disc, and herniated disc can arise from a core of dehydrated discs within vertebrae.
Water keeps the spinal discs full of fluid so they can properly cushion the spine during movement. Water prevents the surrounding muscles from developing lactic acid, which can cause inflammation and lead to nerve compression.
Acupuncture has been a staple of Eastern medicine for thousands of years. Recent evidence has shown that benefits for spinal stenosis are strong.
Massage has a number of benefits for those suffering from spinal stenosis including relaxation, improved mobility, and stress relief.
In spinal stenosis, people typically experience less pain with leaning forward, and especially with sitting. Studies of the lumbar spine show that leaning forward can increase the space available for the nerves. Pain is usually made worse by standing up straight and walking.
As a result, climbing stairs reduces the amount of space in the spinal canal. This temporarily exacerbates the effects of spinal stenosis, potentially leading to worsened pain and other symptoms. If you've been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, it's wise to keep climbing stairs to a minimum.
If you're experiencing back pain that's not responding to pain relievers, make an appointment with your doctor. They can recommend medications and other treatments that may be effective for your specific type of back pain.
The researchers found that analgesics reduced the pain, minimally, but they had a potential to increase the risk of adverse side effects. Side effects on the gastrointestinal system were nausea, dyspepsia, vomiting, and diarrhea. Discomforts related to the nervous system were drowsiness, dizziness, and headache.