How to Treat Spinal Stenosis

Some individual symptoms from spinal stenosis do not require one to have surgery. Spinal stenosis can often be managed and treated through non-surgical treatments if it is not severe. There are several different types of spinal stenosis treatments that may work for you.

1. Use a hot or cold pack to help reduce your pain. If you suffer from cervical stenosis you may be able to relive the pain in your neck by applying a hot or cold pack. Leave the pack on for only 20 minutes at a time about every couple of hours.


2. Get epidural injection. Epidural injections can relieve the pain from some patients. It can be done by a doctor up to three times over several months. This method does not work for everyone, but if it does this can possibly keep you from needing surgery in the future.


3. Take pain medications and multivitamins. Anti-inflammatory durgs such as ibuprofen may work to relive your pain. Some doctors also recommend taking a B-complex vitamin to help relax the muscles.


4. Go to physical therapy sessions. The therapist gives you exercises that can help build and strengthen your endurance, improve your balance, maintain the stability of your spine and control your pain. Each exercise is created for you specifically based upon your symptoms of stenosis.


5. Talk with your doctor about surgery. Only do this if other treatments have not been successful, as this should be your last option. Surgery helps to relive pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Note that not all symptoms get better after surgery. Some can remain the same or even become worse.