Natural Remedy for Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a painful back condition caused by the narrowing of an area in your spine that can put pressure on your spinal cord or on the nerves around it. There are many traditional treatment options for spinal stenosis, including medication, injections, physical therapy and, in some extreme cases, surgery. Alternative medicine, however, provides several all-natural remedies that can also alleviate the intense pain of spinal stenosis.

Treating Spinal Stenosis Naturally

Prolotherapy is a popular alternative to more traditional methods of healing spinal stenosis. This form of treatment utilizes the philosophy that our bodies require inflammation in order to heal. In prolotherapy, dextrose, which is a simple solution of sugar and water, is injected directly into the tendon, joint or ligament of the afflicted area. This injection causes inflammation in the damaged areas and encourages blood flow to the region. The nutrients in the blood restore the injury by naturally creating new supplies of collagen, the protein that makes up ligaments and tendons. As the collagen sits, it constricts around the ligament or tendon and replenishes its strength while diminishing pain.

If prolotherapy seems too daunting, you may want to consider some less invasive natural remedies. Exercise, for one, is an ideal treatment option for curing minor cases of spinal stenosis. Riding an exercise bike will stretch and work the area of the lower back, providing relief from the aches and pains of the condition.

Glucosamine sulfate, evening primrose, and aloe vera have also proved to be successful in treating spinal stenosis the natural way. There are several supplement compounds currently on the market that are geared toward remedying spinal stenosis. These compounds typically include ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitan, MSM (methylsulfmethane) and grape seed extract, to name a few.

Acupressure is another worthy alternative to more traditional spinal stenosis remedies. By gently rubbing various trigger points on the afflicted area, the body's natural healing responses kick in to provide relief from spinal pain.

Warnings

Some cases of spinal stenosis are more severe than others. It is imperative that you visit a doctor and receive a diagnosis before embarking upon a treatment plan of any kind. Most natural remedies work exceptionally well when used in conjunction with traditional medicine. In some cases, the diagnosis may be so severe that surgery might be the only viable option to free you from spinal discomfort.

In all cases, be mindful of your pain levels and respond accordingly. Try various natural remedies alone or together with prescription medications--but always be in tune to the needs of your body.