You can get spinal stenosis treatment without surgery at Oakland Lifestyle Medicine, 36800 Woodward Ave, Suite 210, in Bloomfield Hills, MI, where chiropractors, a physical therapist and physician assistants work under one roof. Care starts with a full consultation and exam, and a plan may combine Cox Technic, spinal decompression, therapeutic exercise and deep tissue laser, with a pain-management evaluation available through our Medical Director when it is appropriate.
What Spinal Stenosis Is and Why It Hurts
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces in the spine where nerves travel and exit. When those openings narrow, the nerves can get crowded. That pressure is what turns a stiff back into pain, numbness or weakness that travels into the legs or arms.
Stenosis is most commonly tied to the natural aging process, as the spine changes over time. Spinal injuries, degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis and family history can also play a part. For many people in Oakland County, it shows up gradually: a walk through the neighborhood gets shorter, standing in line at the store gets harder, and leaning forward on a shopping cart starts to feel like relief.
Common symptoms include:
- Neck pain that may feel like a constant ache or a sharp, shooting pain, often worse with bending, twisting or lifting.
- Low back pain that may spread into the legs.
- Numbness, tingling or weakness, especially in the legs and feet, that can make walking or standing difficult.
- Trouble with coordination during everyday tasks such as walking or reaching.
Stenosis can also affect bowel and bladder function in severe cases. If you notice changes in bowel or bladder control, seek prompt medical attention rather than waiting for a routine visit.
How We Evaluate Spinal Stenosis in Bloomfield Hills
The first step is a comprehensive consultation and exam. Your provider reviews your medical history, your symptoms and your current condition, then performs a physical exam that includes a spinal assessment. The goal is to find what is actually driving your pain, not just to name the condition.
Before your visit, it helps to note:
- Where you feel symptoms and when they began.
- Which positions or activities make them better or worse, such as walking, standing, sitting or bending forward.
- What you have already tried, including medications, injections or prior therapy.
- Any prior imaging or records you can share.
Our team then works together on one plan. Chiropractors Dr. Christophe Dean and Dr. Jon Dean, physical therapist Dr. Casey Charlebois, PT, DPT, physician assistants Melanie Ilitch, MS, PA-C, and Leigh Dobbs, PA-C, physical therapist assistant Georgina Mamari, and our massage therapists all practice in the same Bloomfield Hills office. You can meet them on our doctors page.
Non-Surgical Options for Spinal Stenosis at OLM
Surgery should generally be considered a last resort, because other approaches may provide relief without an invasive procedure. On our spinal stenosis page, we describe how these options can fit together:
- Cox Technic. Cox Technic is a gentle, low-force, hands-on flexion-distraction approach performed on a special table. It aims to reduce mechanical pressure on the nerve by lowering pressure in the disc and opening the space where the nerve exits the spine. Because it is low-force, it can suit patients who need a softer approach.
- Spinal decompression. Non-surgical spinal decompression uses a table to gently stretch and decompress the spine, with the goal of reducing pressure on affected nerves.
- Chiropractic care. Adjustments may help relieve pressure on nerve roots and improve mobility, alongside other parts of the plan.
- Therapeutic exercise and physical therapy. A custom program through our physical therapy team can strengthen the muscles that support the spine and improve flexibility, matched to your ability.
- Deep tissue laser. Deep tissue laser therapy uses laser energy to support the body's natural healing processes and may help reduce inflammation and pain.
- Massage therapy. Massage can be a helpful addition for muscle tension, circulation and relaxation, once the team confirms it is appropriate for you.
Not every option is right for every patient, and combining services is not automatic. Your provider explains which pieces make sense for your situation and in what order.
When Injections or a Pain-Management Evaluation May Come Up
For some people, hands-on care and exercise are not the whole answer. Injections, such as nerve blocks or other injection-based care, can help reduce inflammation and pain for some patients with stenosis. When it is appropriate, OLM providers may refer you to our Medical Director, Dr. Syed Abbas Moosavi, for a pain-management evaluation.
It is also worth being clear about what we are not. Oakland Lifestyle Medicine is not a primary care office. You keep your own primary care provider, and we can coordinate around the care you already receive. In some cases surgery may be necessary. If your findings point that way, the team can talk through it honestly instead of keeping you in a plan that is not working.
Living With Stenosis Between Visits
Stenosis is usually a progressive condition, and it cannot be fully reversed. With the right care, many people are able to reduce symptoms and slow progression. Day-to-day habits make a real difference:
- Stay active: regular walking, biking or swimming can help strengthen the muscles that support the spine.
- Watch your load: heavy lifting, repetitive bending and twisting, and long periods of sitting or standing may make symptoms worse.
- Mind your posture: good posture when sitting, standing and lifting reduces strain on the spine.
- Sleep with support: sleeping on your back with neck support, or on your side with a pillow between your knees, can reduce pressure on the back.
- Maintain a healthy weight and avoid smoking: both can lower the stress on your spine over time.
Coverage varies by plan, so check our insurances accepted page or call the office before your first visit. Patients come to our Bloomfield Hills office from across Oakland County, north of Detroit, and the address is easy to reach on Woodward Avenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can spinal stenosis be treated without surgery?
Many people find relief through non-surgical care such as chiropractic care, therapeutic exercise, spinal decompression, deep tissue laser and lifestyle changes. Stenosis is usually a progressive condition and cannot be fully reversed, but care may help reduce symptoms and slow progression. Surgery is sometimes needed, and the team can discuss when that conversation makes sense.
What is Cox Technic and how does it relate to spinal stenosis?
Cox Technic is a gentle, low-force flexion-distraction approach performed on a special table. Its goal is to reduce mechanical pressure on a nerve by lowering disc pressure and opening the space where the nerve exits the spine, which is the narrowing seen in spinal stenosis.
Is Oakland Lifestyle Medicine a primary care office?
No. Oakland Lifestyle Medicine is a multidisciplinary practice focused on spine, joint and musculoskeletal care, and patients keep their own primary care provider. When appropriate, providers may refer patients to Medical Director Dr. Syed Abbas Moosavi for a pain-management evaluation.
What should I avoid if I have spinal stenosis?
Activities that strain the spine, such as heavy lifting, repetitive bending and twisting, and long stretches of sitting or standing, may make symptoms worse. Ask the team which activities and exercises are right for your situation.
If spinal stenosis is shortening your walks or keeping you up at night, call Oakland Lifestyle Medicine at (248) 543-3566 or schedule your appointment online at our Bloomfield Hills office.