Goals of the program:
LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS
BOOTCAMP PROGRAM
what is it and how can it help?
Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is one of the most common causes of pain, disability, and loss of independence in older adults. LSS is usually caused by age-related changes to the lumbar spine vertebrae and joints. These changes can lead to narrowing of the spinal canal and of the spaces that the lower limb nerve roots travel through.
Symptoms can include: Pain, burning, numbness, tingling, and weakness of the legs, buttock, and lower back. These symptoms tend to be dynamic, and change with position. People with symptoms from LSS usually have difficulty standing and walking for extended periods of time, which greatly impacts quality of life.
Limitations in walking ability contribute to a sedentary lifestyle which increases the risk for heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, and other chronic conditions, not to mention frailty and increased fall risk. Studies show that 4% of people with symptoms of LSS meet the daily requirement for physical activity. Clearly this is an important condition to manage properly.
Conservative management (exercise, manual care and education) is the first-line recommendation to address functional limitations. The Bootcamp Program for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is an evidence-based 6-week program aimed to rehabilitate and improve functional abilities, such as walking ability and strength, in older adults with symptoms of LSS. It is tailored to your unique needs, and consists of targeted manual therapy, home-based exercises, and self-management strategies.
Non-conservative treatment options include: surgery, spinal injections, and oral medications.
In clinical trials 85% of people who were rated as moderately disabled showed significant improvements in walking distance compared with usual medical care. This improvement was maintained at 3-year follow-up.
At the time writing this, I am the only trained practitioner in the region to offer the Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Bootcamp Program. I have led many older adults through this process, and have seen successful long-lasting improvements in pain and function with the program. There are many older adults affected by this condition in BC and the Bulkley Valley, and there's a lot we can do to help. It's my mission to limit the disability associated with LSS in my community. I can work with your medical team and help coordinate the management for this lifelong condition. Please reach out to me if you have any questions about the program or your condition.
