From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories:
Chiropractic Treatment for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Author: Natalie Meiri, D.C. Posted: 8/26/20
This was a 65 year old patient who was vacationing in Florida for 6 weeks. To be HIPAA compliant, I will call her Wanda instead of her real name. Wanda had seen her primary care doctor in another northern state. She had many medical reports. The low back M.R.I. report noted disc bulges and spinal stenosis at multiple levels. A doppler ultrasound report noted some decreased blood flow (ischemia) in her legs.
She had been diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis and low back degenerative disc disease. In other words, she had osteoarthritis in her spine (“wear and tear” arthritis of the spinal discs). And she had spinal stenosis which is narrowing of the spaces within the spine, which put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. The low back and leg pains had started about 6 months ago after “lifting something heavy”. She also had a lot of emotional stress in her life at the time.
Wanda presented to my office with a lot of pain in her low back and legs. She had been seeing her chiropractor up north after visiting her primary care doctor. On the intake form she reported pain even down the front of her thighs and legs to her feet, especially on the right. Furthermore, she had weakness in both her legs.
Upon examination, there were positive tests for both hips and knees as well as the low back. After that, I took some x-rays of her hips and knees. Findings on her x-rays were degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) of both her hips and knees.
Wanda’s chiropractic treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis and leg pain consisted of chiropractic manipulation/ adjustments of the lumbar spine, both hips, knees, and associated regions. Associated regions that were adjusted were her thoracic spine and both ankles, which were misaligned (subluxations or intersegmental dysfunctions) due to the conditions she had. Additionally, soft tissue therapy (myofascial release, pressure point and various relaxation procedures) and modalities (cold/heat therapy and electric muscle stimulation) were administered. Finally, she was given therapeutic exercises to continue her treatment at home.
The outcome for Wanda was excellent! She felt better and starting regaining the strength back immediately in her legs. She treated 3 times a week for the 6 weeks before she had to leave Florida. By the end of 6 weeks, she had nearly full range of motion, flexibility, and strength in her legs back.
The interesting point or clinical pearl would be the additional joints that needed chiropractic manipulation (hip joints, knee joints, ankles joints) along with the spine. Chiropractic adjustments restore joint mobility and function, resolves joint inflammation and reduces the patient’s pain. Anatomically, the kinetic chain describes the interrelated groups of body segments, connecting joints, and muscles working together to perform movements. Simply put, Wanda’s lower kinetic chain (ankles, lower legs, knees, upper legs, hips, pelvis, and spine) needed realigning.
Do you know someone who is in need of chiropractic treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis? Contact Dr. Natalie Meiri of Meiri Chiropractic today for chiropractic treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis! Call 561-253-8984 to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
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