DEAR DR. GOTT: Does physical therapy do any good for spinal stenosis? Is it harmful?
DEAR READER: Spinal stenosis is a tightening or narrowing of one or more areas of the spine. It should be noted that narrowing does not always cause problems; however, if the narrowed areas compress the spinal cord or nerves, symptoms will occur. Narrowing puts pressure on the spinal cord, leading to a variety of problems, depending on which nerves are affected. Pain, cramping and numbness in the back, shoulders and arms can result. Intermittent pains in the legs can be present. There can be a diminished sensation or tingling in the extremities and bladder function can be affected.
Degenerative changes in the spine commonly associated with osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease are a common cause.
For my patients with spinal stenosis, I usually recommend an intensive, noninvasive approach that includes chiropractic manipulation, massage therapy, steroid injections to the back, acupuncture, hypnotherapy and physical therapy. If these noninvasive techniques are not effective, surgery may have to be considered. While relief from pain may be accomplished following a surgical procedure, the damage to nerves cannot be reversed.
Physical therapy performed by properly trained professionals can often ease the pain of spinal stenosis. The technique is not harmful.
DEAR DR. GOTT: Thank you for the day-to-day comments, remedies and medical expertise you share with your readers. As someone recently diagnosed with breast cancer, I want to especially thank you for the letter published regarding inverted nipples. Like the author's doctor who was not concerned, neither was mine. In accordance with your suggestion, I immediately scheduled an appointment for a second opinion. Within 30 days, my left breast and three lymph nodes were removed.
Thanks to early detection, my follow-up treatment will be a daily estrogen blocker for five years. Had I waited until my next annual exam, the treatment would have been much more extreme. I urge all women to pay attention to their bodies. If there is a change and their physician is not concerned, seek a second opinion as quickly as possible.
DEAR READER: Letters such as yours are what keep me going. If I have saved you and other women from delayed diagnoses, my column is clearly doing its job. Thanks for making my day a happier one.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Breast Cancer and Disorders." Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
DEAR DR. GOTT: My granddaughter, 34, has recurring bouts with herpes simplex canker sores, usually in the back of her mouth and under her tongue. It takes over a week for them to heal, and occurrences are frequent.
Can you recommend treatment? We would certainly appreciate any help you can give. We are avid readers of your column.
DEAR READER: I recommend that your granddaughter take L-lysine as a viral preventive. If this is not successful, she should see her family doctor for an antiviral prescription, such as Valtrex and others. Canker sores are curable, but they may break out for years.
DEAR READER: Spinal stenosis is a tightening or narrowing of one or more areas of the spine. It should be noted that narrowing does not always cause problems; however, if the narrowed areas compress the spinal cord or nerves, symptoms will occur. Narrowing puts pressure on the spinal cord, leading to a variety of problems, depending on which nerves are affected. Pain, cramping and numbness in the back, shoulders and arms can result. Intermittent pains in the legs can be present. There can be a diminished sensation or tingling in the extremities and bladder function can be affected.
Degenerative changes in the spine commonly associated with osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease are a common cause.
For my patients with spinal stenosis, I usually recommend an intensive, noninvasive approach that includes chiropractic manipulation, massage therapy, steroid injections to the back, acupuncture, hypnotherapy and physical therapy. If these noninvasive techniques are not effective, surgery may have to be considered. While relief from pain may be accomplished following a surgical procedure, the damage to nerves cannot be reversed.
Physical therapy performed by properly trained professionals can often ease the pain of spinal stenosis. The technique is not harmful.
DEAR DR. GOTT: Thank you for the day-to-day comments, remedies and medical expertise you share with your readers. As someone recently diagnosed with breast cancer, I want to especially thank you for the letter published regarding inverted nipples. Like the author's doctor who was not concerned, neither was mine. In accordance with your suggestion, I immediately scheduled an appointment for a second opinion. Within 30 days, my left breast and three lymph nodes were removed.
Thanks to early detection, my follow-up treatment will be a daily estrogen blocker for five years. Had I waited until my next annual exam, the treatment would have been much more extreme. I urge all women to pay attention to their bodies. If there is a change and their physician is not concerned, seek a second opinion as quickly as possible.
DEAR READER: Letters such as yours are what keep me going. If I have saved you and other women from delayed diagnoses, my column is clearly doing its job. Thanks for making my day a happier one.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Breast Cancer and Disorders." Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
DEAR DR. GOTT: My granddaughter, 34, has recurring bouts with herpes simplex canker sores, usually in the back of her mouth and under her tongue. It takes over a week for them to heal, and occurrences are frequent.
Can you recommend treatment? We would certainly appreciate any help you can give. We are avid readers of your column.
DEAR READER: I recommend that your granddaughter take L-lysine as a viral preventive. If this is not successful, she should see her family doctor for an antiviral prescription, such as Valtrex and others. Canker sores are curable, but they may break out for years.