Quality Spinal Stenosis Treatment in Central California

Narrowing of the spine in people with spinal stenosis compresses the spinal nerve roots, which causes pain, numbness, and muscle weakness. Osteoarthritis and other degenerative conditions of the spinal column (your backbone) are the main cause of stenosis.

The goal of our neurological care team at Dignity Health Central California is to relieve your pain and other symptoms of spinal stenosis and prevent or minimize disability.

For personalized spinal stenosis treatment in Central California, use our Find a Doctor tool to meet with an experienced spine specialist.

Spinal Stenosis Treatment Options at Dignity Health Central California

Your doctor will consider the severity of your symptoms, your overall health, and your personal preferences to recommend the most appropriate treatment for you. Treatment of spinal stenosis often follows a more conservative path at first and turns to more invasive procedures, such as spine surgery, as the condition progresses. A common path is physical therapy, medications, injections, and surgery.

Physical Therapy (PT)

Your physical therapist can’t reverse spinal stenosis, but strengthening the muscles supporting your spine help you maintain good posture, which can take some pressure off the spinal nerves and reduce your pain.

Medications & Injections

Arthritis and spinal stenosis can cause inflammation, swelling, and pain. To make you more comfortable, your doctor can prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, pain relievers, and muscle relaxants. Together, these medications can improve your quality of life and make it easier for you to keep up with PT.

Injections for spinal stenosis are an option if your symptoms do not respond to PT and anti-inflammatories. Your doctor injects a corticosteroid near your spinal cord for longer-lasting pain relief. Pain management specialists on our staff can tailor your medication and injection regimen to address your specific symptoms and pain level.

Surgery for Spinal Stenosis

Surgery to reduce pressure on your spinal nerves is necessary when other treatments no longer control your symptoms. Spinal stenosis surgeries we perform include laminectomy, discectomy, foraminotomy, and spinal fusion.

Considering Your Treatment Options

At Dignity Health Central California, we want you to feel comfortable with your spinal stenosis treatment. We will help you learn about your options, including the benefits and risks, and choose what makes sense for you personally.

Talk to your doctor for more information about our team-based approach to spinal stenosis treatment in Central California.

Dignity Health Central California neurologists and neurosurgeons work together to deliver high-quality spinal stenosis treatment in Bakersfield, and Stockton, CA.