Pain Management of Lumbar Stenosis

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A variety of pain management techniques may be incorporated from the comfort of one's home to effectively treat stenosis of the lumbar spine, including:

• Ice
• Heat
• Topical pain relievers
• Massage therapy
• Over-the-counter medications.

This section of the article provides some more information on each of these at-home pain management techniques for lumbar stenosis.

Ice Treatments for Lumbar Stenosis

Icing the lower back after exercise is a common treatment of spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine. The goal of ice therapy is to numb the affected area and achieve temporary pain relief.

A frozen bag of peas works well for this purpose. Simply apply the cold pack for about 10 minutes at a time. If there is a lack of sensation in the lower back area, do not use ice or heat to avoid damaging the skin.

Heat Therapy for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Heating over tight muscles in the lower back is often an effective way to achieve relief from spinal stenosis pain. Heating the affected area stimulates blood flow, which promotes and accelerates the healing process.

Hot water bottles, heating pads and heat wraps are just a few common household items that may be used to treat sciatica, back pain, leg pain and other symptoms related to lumbar stenosis.

Topical Pain Relievers and Massages for Lumbar Stenosis

Using a topical pain reliever (such as capsaicin or other brand name) is another popular treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis. Remember that even though the pain reliever is topical, it is still a medicine. Use only as directed on the package.

Patients dealing with lumbar stenosis may also get a massage from a spouse (cite this article as your excuse for asking for it) or visit a massage therapist to help relieve tight, sore muscles.

Pain Medications for Lumbar Stenosis

Patients may utilize over-the-counter pain medications, including acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil), when dealing with lumbar stenosis.

All medications carry the risk of side effects. In general, if you have liver problems or kidney problems, talk to your doctor before taking these medications. Additionally, if you have high blood pressure or heart problems, talk to your doctor before taking NSAIDS.

With the above caveats, many people do find short-term relief of spinal stenosis pain from over the counter medications, but long-term use without the supervision of a doctor should be discouraged.

Considerations with Spinal Stenosis Pain Management

If symptoms are severe, progressive or interfering with daily life, it is a good idea to have a discussion with the doctor to review different stenosis treatment options.

There are lots of ways to control the spinal stenosis symptoms, including prescription medications, physical therapy and exercises, injections (including possible epidural steroid injections), and occasionally stenosis surgery.

• Article written By:
• Dr. Grant Cooper, MD

August 18, 2009

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