Upon initially receiving a diagnosis of canal stenosis, many people think they may need to have surgery to relieve their symptoms. Often, they are surprised to hear that canal stenosis surgery is often recommended for patients whose symptoms persist after several weeks or months of nonsurgical treatment.

Conservative treatment for canal stenosis

Many patients are able to reclaim their lives from their neck or back pain without having to undergo canal stenosis surgery. These patients follow an individualized combination of conservative, nonsurgical treatments to lessen their symptoms rather than treat the canal stenosis itself. Conservative treatment for canal stenosis may include:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) and pain relievers
2. Corticosteroid injections
3. Alternating use of ice packs and heating pads
4. Physical therapy
5. Low-impact exercise and stretching

Alternative treatment for canal stenosis

Additionally, some patients explore alternative treatment for canal stenosis. These treatments help to promote the body’s natural healing process and can include acupuncture, yoga, Pilates, chiropractic care and essential oils. Be sure to consult with your physician before beginning any alternative treatment on your own.

For patients whose symptoms persist after several rounds of conservative treatment, canal stenosis surgery may be necessary to provide meaningful relief and an improved quality of life. At USA Spine Care, our neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons perform minimally invasive outpatient procedures that come with less risk to patients than traditional open neck or back surgery.^

If you have not found sufficient relief from nonsurgical canal stenosis treatment and have been told to consider surgery, contact USA Spine Care today. We will gladly help determine if you are a candidate for our procedures by reviewing your recent MRI at no cost.*

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