The spine is made up of a system of nerve cells encased by 33 bones known as vertebrae. This structure is the body’s central processing center, so any injuries or conditions impacting it cannot be taken lightly. Spinal stenosis is one of these conditions and has the potential to be detrimental to your overall health. At New York Orthopaedic Spinal Associates, our spinal surgeon on Long Island can help you understand and manage this diagnosis and work with you on improving your quality of life.
WHAT IS SPINAL STENOSIS?
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces within your spine begin to narrow and cause pressure on the nerves that travel up and down your back. While a patient may suffer no symptoms from spinal stenosis, the most common ones include pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness. If your condition is mild enough, no immediate action needs to be taken. In more extreme cases, a procedure such as a laminectomy may be determined as the only way to treat your spinal stenosis. Our spinal surgeon on Long Island will closely monitor your situation and determine what the immediate course of action for your specific case should be.
WAYS TO PREVENT SPINAL STENOSIS
If your case of spinal stenosis becomes severe, you may need to seek the help of a spinal surgeon on Long Island to correct the issue. However, we can offer some tips for reducing symptoms and preventing spinal stenosis from occurring:
- Exercise and stretch regularly: Creating and following a challenging but safe workout plan is one way to help prevent spinal stenosis. Exercising and stretching can increase your spinal flexibility and develop your abdominal muscles, which are a great form of back support.
- Correct your posture: Having a poor posture can lead to a large amount of unnecessary wear and tear to the spine. Something as simple as correcting this can alleviate pressure and help eliminate the risk of developing spinal stenosis.
- Manage your weight: Being overweight can place pressure on all the components of your spine and weigh down your body. By eating right and staying in shape, you can help to ease the pressure on your spine.
- Quit smoking: Aside from overall health benefits, quitting smoking can also help decrease your chances of suffering from spinal stenosis. Smoking can constrict the blood vessels that feed your spine, which can have degenerative impacts and lead to spinal stenosis.
CONTACT US TODAY
At New York Orthopaedic Spinal Associates, we know that even after working hard to prevent spinal stenosis, this condition can still claim you as its victim. If you feel that your symptoms have become insufferable, spinal surgery may be the only option. A spinal surgeon on Long Island can perform a laminectomy to correct the issue you are dealing with. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you manage this unfortunate condition today.