Spinal Stenosis Treatments in Clifton, New Jersey | Effective and Safe Pain Management Treatments

Understanding Spinal Stenosis: Causes, Treatments, and Pain Relief

What is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the spaces within the spine, which can exert pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves. This narrowing can occur in various regions of the spine, including the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) areas, and is commonly caused by age-related changes such as degenerative disc disease, arthritis, or spinal injuries. As the spinal canal narrows, individuals may experience symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs, which can significantly impact daily activities.

Our providers at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics specializes in neck pain and back pain, and are available in Clifton, Jersey City, Hazlet, Edison, and West Orange, New Jersey. 

How is Spinal Stenosis Treated?

Treatment for spinal stenosis typically starts with conservative approaches and may include the following:

1. Physical Therapy: Customized exercise programs help strengthen the muscles supporting the spine, improve flexibility, and enhance overall mobility.

2. Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics, or corticosteroids can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.

3. Epidural Steroid Injections: These injections deliver steroids directly into the epidural space around the spinal nerves to decrease inflammation and relieve pain.

4. Surgery: If conservative treatments do not provide sufficient relief, surgical options such as laminectomy (removal of the vertebrae) or spinal fusion may be considered to create more space for the spinal cord and nerves.

Ways to Relieve Back Pain

In addition to specific treatments for spinal stenosis, there are various strategies to relieve back pain:

1. Exercise Regularly: Engaging in low-impact exercises, such as swimming, walking, or yoga, can strengthen the core muscles and improve flexibility, which may help alleviate pain.

2. Maintain Good Posture: Proper posture while sitting, standing, and lifting can help reduce strain on the back and prevent further injury.

3. Apply Heat or Ice: Using a heating pad or ice pack can help reduce pain and inflammation. Heat is particularly effective for muscle tightness, while ice can reduce swelling.

4. Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight can decrease the stress on the spine and reduce the severity of symptoms.

5. Alternative Therapies: Techniques such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, or massage therapy may provide additional relief for some individuals.

If you have any questions about spinal stenosis treatments, please schedule an appointment with one of our pain management physicians by selecting "Book Now". Garden State Pain and Orthopedics has offices in Clifton, Jersey City, West Orange, Hazlet, and Edison, New Jersey. 

Meet Pain Management Physician, Dr. Andrew So 

Andrew So, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain management physician at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics with offices in Edison, Clifton, Hazlet or Jersey City, New Jersey. Dr. So believes that each patient’s care should be personalized and strives to ensure the highest level of comfort and compassion through a multi-modal treatment approach. His specialties include neck pain, back pain, spine pain, post-laminectomy syndrome, headache pain, migraine pain, joint pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, neuropathy, acute, and post-surgical pain syndromes, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), amongst others. 

Dr. So attended the University of Michigan, where he graduated as an Angel Scholar with a Bachelor of Science in Brain Behavior & Cognitive Sciences. He received his Doctor of Medicine from Virginia Commonwealth University as a distinguished merit scholar, where he was also voted class president by his peers for his leadership abilities.  He then went on to complete his residency in Anesthesiology at Albert Einstein University of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center.  During his residency, Dr. So was honored by his peers and faculty with the highly coveted Leo M. Davidoff Society Outstanding Teacher Award.   Following residency, Dr. So completed fellowship training at Albert Einstein University of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center specializing in interventional pain management, where he served as a chief administrative fellow. 

In addition to his extensive training, Dr. So has contributed to the field of pain management through research initiatives and various publications, including first author credits for multiple chapters in Deer’s Treatment of Pain: An Illustrated Guide for Practitioners, as well as presentations at national and regional conferences.  Dr. So believes in utilizing a comprehensive and multi-modal approach to pain management, allowing him to effectively diagnose, treat, and manage a wide array of pain and musculoskeletal-related conditions. He also possesses a robust procedural skill set including axial and peripheral procedures utilizing both fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance. In his free time, Dr. So enjoys hiking, traveling, tennis and spending time with family and friends. If you are experiencing neck or back pain you can schedule with Dr. So by selecting the “Book Now” button. He has appointments available at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics locations in Clifton, Edison, Jersey City, West Orange, and Hazlet.