Can Spinal Stenosis Be Prevented?

Are you having back pain? One cause of back pain is spinal stenosis — a narrowing of the spinal canal that holds your spinal cord and parts of your central nervous system. When this passageway is compressed, your spinal cord and/or spinal nerves may send signals to your brain, which processes them as pain. 

Mark Perenich, DO, at the Spine Institute of Florida, is an orthopedic specialist with many years of training in spine surgery and spinal conditions. Dr. Perenich and his expert team review your medical history, perform physical assessments by checking your ability to move, order medical imaging tests, and get to the root of your back or neck pain. 

Whether it’s spinal stenosis or another musculoskeletal problem, our team has solutions to ease your pain. 

As you age, your musculoskeletal system experiences wear and tear. Your body’s cartilage, which cushions your joints, begins to break down. Different forms of arthritis can cause inflammation that narrows the space in your spinal canal. You can develop bone spurs which block your spinal canal. You may develop a herniated disc or a bone fracture which can compress your spinal nerves. 

Is there something you can do to keep your back healthy? In a word, yes. Lifestyle habits can make a huge difference in your musculoskeletal health. Following are some common sense ways to help lower your risk of spinal stenosis and keep your back younger than its years. 

Get regular exercise 

Millions of pages have been written on the importance of regular exercise. Leading a sedentary life increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other diseases. When it comes to your spine, being sedentary is associated with narrow lumbar discs in your back, weak muscles that help support your back, low back pain, and disability. 

Regular exercise helps you maintain a normal range of motion in your spine. This flexibility reduces the risk of tight muscles that can lead to back pain. 

If you have a desk job and sit most of the day, make sure you take frequent breaks. Sitting for hours hurts your spine. Get up, walk around, and perform some stretches. 

Get the right kind of exercise 

Consult your doctor about safe exercise habits. If you still participate in high-impact sports and activities such as football, hockey, or weightlifting, your body has a harder time recovering from the shocks and jarring movements at 50 than it did when you were 30. 

The adage that walking is the best exercise isn’t just an old wives tale. Walking, biking, swimming, and water aerobics are all great low-impact activities that help keep you mobile. 

Maintain a healthy weight

Your spine helps support your entire body. Excess weight places great stress on every part of your spine. If you’re overweight or obese, your cartilage may start to break down earlier than normal. Space between your spinal discs may collapse. Both lead to painful back conditions. 

If you can’t lose weight on your own, try a medically supervised weight loss program or join a weight loss group for support. 

Don’t smoke

If you smoke, you know many reasons why you should quit. Lessening your back pain is another reason. Smoking reduces blood flow and oxygen to your spine, worsening your condition. 

Use correct posture 

When your mom told you to stand up straight, she was backed by science. Poor posture harms your spine. If you’re swayback or you constantly hunch over your computer so that your back is curved, you’re increasing your chance of back problems in the future. 

Make sure you use ergonomic aids if you sit at your computer most of the day. Use good posture when walking, bending, lifting, and sitting. It reduces the pressure on your spine. 

For more information or to schedule an appointment at Spine Institute of Florida, call one of our four convenient Florida locations today — Tampa, Crystal River, Dade City, and Spring Hill — or request an appointment online any time.