| Lumbar stenois is a condition in which the spinal canal | | | | interferential therapy combined with stretching, |
| narrows and causes neurologic symptoms almost | | | | strength training and increased physical activities may |
| always resulting in pain. Generally speaking the onset | | | | help stop the progression of the disease. The most |
| occurs in persons over 50 years of age. The hallmark | | | | noticeable aspect of lumbar stenosis is the presence |
| of lumbar stenosis is pain in the back and legs which | | | | of pain which also prohibits the recommended |
| is aggravated by bending backwards, standing and | | | | therapeutic activities. |
| walking. The pain is lessened by bending forward and | | | | Interferential therapy provides immediate pain relief. |
| to the sides. Many physicians seem to accept that | | | | With the ability to treat at home it is reasoned that |
| the natural course of lumbar spinal stenosis is that of | | | | the multiple treatments will provide prolonged pain |
| a progressive worsening. The classic syndrome | | | | relief progressing over time which is called |
| associated with lumbar stenosis is termed neurogenic | | | | "carryover". The interferential treatments can be |
| intermittent claudication. The pain generally occurs in | | | | administered prior to beginning exercise routines and |
| the lower limbs of the patient. | | | | during the routines so the stretching and rehabilitation |
| Historically it had been accepted that only surgery | | | | exercises can be continued longer and with greater |
| could check the development of the disease. The | | | | range of motion since the pain will not be present |
| procedure is called a decompressive laminectomy in | | | | during and after interferential treatment. With |
| which the laminae (roof) of the vertebrae are | | | | interferential providing a biphasic ( +/-) polarity wave |
| removed, creating more space in the spinal canal for | | | | form it is felt the positive (+) aspect actually |
| the nerves. In 1996 in the British Journal of | | | | increases blood flow, prevents muscle spasticity, and |
| Neurosurgery it was concluded that conservative | | | | relieves pain including radiating sciatica. Due to the |
| treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis is recommended | | | | Widensky effect the area underneath the electrodes |
| for patients with moderate stenosis. Conservative | | | | during an interferential treatment is naturally |
| treatments in 1996 were considered to be physical | | | | anesthesized which also provides the pain relief. |
| therapy, chiropractic flexion spinal manipulation, | | | | With the advances that have been made it is no |
| bracing, strength training, muscle stretching and | | | | longer necessary for the patient suffering from |
| relaxation as well as interferential treatments. | | | | lumbar stenosis to "grin and bear it". There are better |
| Today with advances in early diagnosis, as well as | | | | non-surgical, non-drug options available. |
| new modaliities, it is felt an at home treatment of | | | | |