Spinal Stenosis and Massage Therapy

If you've been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis you've probably been looking for effective ways to treat it and lessen your symptoms. Massage Therapy and Bodywork provided by a skilled Licensed Massage Therapist is effective in treating a wide range of issues. In my San Antonio, Texas based Massage and Bodywork practice I often treat clients experiencing pain from a number of painful conditions including Spinal Stenosis.

What is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal Stenosis is the name of a painful condition, in which the spinal cord and/or nerve roots are placed under abnormal pressure by narrowing of the spinal canal. Spinal Stenosis can occur anywhere in the spine but the most common presentation occurs in the lumbar spine (low back) and next most commonly in the cervical spine (neck). Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis include neck or back pain, numbness in the extremities, pain in the extremities, muscular weakness, and cramping.

What is the cause of Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal Stenosis may be caused by osteoarthritis or Paget's Disease or by a traumatic injury to the spinal column that causes pressure on the nerve roots or the spinal cord itself. When due to osteoarthritis or Paget's Disease, Spinal Stenosis most often affects middle-aged or elderly people.

Massage Therapy and Bodywork for Spinal Stenosis

Massage and Bodywork does not treat Spinal Stenosis directly; however, two things may be accomplished through massage therapy and bodywork to improve the client's symptoms. First, it may be possible through massage therapy and bodywork to improve posture and reduce abnormal curves in the spine. The improvements in posture, often through the use of Ortho-Bionomy or Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy, could provide a slight decrease in pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.

Second, some symptoms attributed to Spinal Stenosis may not be due to the condition at all. Once the diagnosis of Spinal Stenosis is made, all symptoms of cramping, pain, numbness, and weakness are usually assumed to stem from the condition. However, the symptoms may be from soft tissue nerve entrapments or trigger point referrals that can be treated with massage therapy. The massage therapist has a number of techniques available to relieve the nerve entrapments or trigger points. For example, Neuromuscular Therapy or Trigger Point Therapy may be used to eliminate myofascial trigger points in affected muscles. The massage therapist could also use Myofascial Release techniques or Deep Tissue Massage techniques to release tissues trapping nerves.

Other Treatments for Spinal Stenosis

While massage therapy and bodywork may be excellent treatment for symptoms possibly related to Spinal Stenosis, there are other treatments you should discuss with your physician:

Acupuncture
Chiropractic manipulation
Traction
Pain medications
Steroid Injections
Anti-inflammatory medications
Decompression Surgery

The information in this article has been provided for information purposes only. It is not meant to provide a medical diagnosis, only a licensed physician may diagnose Spinal Stenosis. If you feel that you have the symptoms of Spinal Stenosis please see your physician for a proper diagnosis and plan of treatment which may include massage therapy and bodywork. Spinal Stenosis can be a very serious condition and medical attention is necessary.

If, after consulting your physician, you would like to pursue treatment of symptoms attributed to Spinal Stenosis with Massage Therapy and Bodywork please contact me at my San Antonio Massage and Bodywork practice, Massage By Ben, at 210-269-3314.

Massage For Pains Of The New Year

It's a New Year. 2010 is here and it's pretty common for people to have some stress, aches, and pains. Massage Therapy and Bodywork are very helpful for the New Year's stress, aches, and pains.

Maybe your new aches and pains are from an unexpected source, your Nintendo Wii. Yes, it's pretty common to over do it with Wii Bowling, Wii Tennis, Wii Boxing, or even Donkey Kong and end up with sore shoulders and forearms. Maybe you made a resolution to lose weight, get in better shape, be healthier, so you've started walking, running, or taking a great yoga class and now you're paying for it with sore feet, legs, and back. All that exercise is great but you're more likely to stick with it if you feel better...Massage Therapy will help.

Stress? Who doesn't have stress in the New Year? With the state of the economy and unemployment changing day-by-day, the boss acting like a jerk, your internet connection being flaky, and the kids... Take a break from it all and let Massage Therapy help you.

In San Antonio adding Massage Therapy to your new fitness plan couldn't be easier. All you need to do is call me at 210-269-3314 to set up your evaluation and appointment. Together we can make Massage Therapy the most anticipated part of your plan for better health. Find more info at Massage By Ben