Spinal Stenosis Treatment in Cincinnati - APSI Wellness
Expert spinal stenosis treatment in Cincinnati. Learn about symptoms, causes, and pain management options at APSI Wellness.
Spinal Stenosis — Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness — most common in the neck and lower back.
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal — the bony channel that houses the spinal cord and nerve roots — narrows and compresses the neural structures within it. This narrowing can occur in the central canal, the lateral recesses, or the neural foramina (the openings where nerve roots exit the spine).
Spinal stenosis most commonly affects the lumbar spine (lumbar stenosis) and cervical spine (cervical stenosis), and is one of the most common causes of chronic back and leg pain in adults over 50.
Symptoms
Lumbar stenosis: Lower back pain, leg pain or cramping with walking or standing (neurogenic claudication), relief with sitting or bending forward, numbness or tingling in the legs
Cervical stenosis: Neck pain, arm pain or numbness, balance difficulties, hand clumsiness, in severe cases — bowel or bladder changes (requires urgent evaluation)
Symptoms typically develop gradually and worsen over time
Causes
Degenerative changes (osteoarthritis) — the most common cause
Thickened ligaments (ligamentum flavum hypertrophy)
Bone spurs (osteophytes)
Disc bulging or herniation
Spondylolisthesis (vertebral slippage)
Congenitally narrow spinal canal
Treatment Options at APSI Wellness
Epidural steroid injections — reduce inflammation around compressed nerves
Caudal steroid injections — particularly effective for lumbar stenosis
Lumbar transforaminal epidurals — targeted nerve root treatment
Medical management — appropriate pain medication regimens
Physical therapy referral — core strengthening and flexibility exercises
Spinal cord stimulation — for chronic cases not responding to other interventions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does spinal stenosis always get worse?
Not necessarily. While the structural narrowing may slowly progress, symptoms can often be effectively managed with interventional treatments and lifestyle modifications. Many patients maintain good function for years with appropriate care.
Can exercise help spinal stenosis?
Yes. Exercises that promote spinal flexion (forward bending), core strengthening, and cardiovascular fitness can significantly improve stenosis symptoms. Physical therapy tailored to stenosis is highly recommended.
When is surgery necessary for spinal stenosis?
Surgery is typically considered when conservative and interventional treatments fail to provide adequate relief, or when there are signs of severe nerve compression such as progressive weakness or bowel/bladder dysfunction.
Why does bending forward help my symptoms?
Bending forward (flexion) opens up the spinal canal and neural foramina, reducing pressure on the compressed nerves. This is why many stenosis patients feel better sitting, leaning on a shopping cart, or walking uphill.
APSI Wellness — Advanced Pain Solutions & Interventions
5405 DuPont Circle Suite A, Milford, OH 45150 | Phone: (513) 936-3050
https://apsiwellness.com/conditions/spinal-stenosis