If you suffer from chronic back pain, like
many other Toronto back pain patients, odds
are you’ve heard of paraspinal muscle fatty infiltrate. This spinal
condition can cause a lot of discomfort and can even
result in gait disturbances. In this blog post, we will look more
closely at paraspinal muscle fatty infiltrate and how it
is related to lumbar spinal stenosis and its treatment
with spinal manipulation offered at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre.
WHAT IS PARASPINAL MUSCLE FATTY INFILTRATE?
Paraspinal muscle fatty infiltrate is an
accumulation of fat within the tissues of the muscles around the spine. This condition is often caused by aging or genetics, although it can
also be activated by lifestyle factors such as poor nutrition or lack of exercise. It is
important to note that paraspinal fatty muscle infiltrate
does not always produce symptoms, but if it does, they can include
low back pain, stiffness in the lower back and legs, or difficulty walking due
to gait disturbances since gait relies on hip muscles
like the gluteus medius. A new report explained how
the extent to which the gluteus medius is atrophied (weakened)
influenced lumbar spinal stenosis symptomatology. (1) One of the most common spinal problems
affecting more than 500 million people over 65 years old,
lumbar spinal stenosis, is linked to distorted
gait as gait relies on strong muscle activity. (2)
Toronto chiropractic patients know Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre checks for gait issues during our chiropractic exam.
PARASPINAL FATTY INFILTRATE AND LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS
Paraspinal muscle fatty infiltrate can be associated
with lumbar spinal stenosis—a narrowing of the spinal canal that results
in lower back pain and even pain down the legs by putting
pressure on spinal nerves – and resulting
Toronto back pain. Intervertebral disc degeneration and
fatty-infiltrated paraspinal muscles – multifidus, erector spinae, etc. – are linked
and found to contribute to chronic low back pain and related
issues: the more fat, the more degeneration.
(3) Other researchers concured that fat infiltration of the
paraspinal muscles like the multifidus muscle may be associated
with lower back pain when it was not linked to other
factors like a person with back pain being
older, male, or having a higher BMI]78]. (4) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre offers alleviating
chiropractic treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis and its back pain.
LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS & SPINAL MANIPULATION
Treatment
options for lumbar spinal stenosis vary influenced by the
severity and the healthcare practitioner who was seen from drugs and surgery to exercise, nutrition, and/or
spinal manipulation and mobilization. One study reported
that one treatment of spinal manipulation was
documented to significantly decrease spinal
stiffness and increased the multifidus muscle thickness ratio which
maintained for more than 7 days for spinal manipulation
responders. (5) Your Toronto chiropractor uses such care for back pain relief, particularly the
well-researched chiropractic Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management. Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he details how The
Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management addresses back pain and
affiliated muscles.
CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
Paraspinal muscle fatty infiltrate is a common condition
that can trigger a range of issues including low
back pain, stiffness in the lower body, and gait disturbances. It is sometimes
associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. If you have any
symptoms associated with paraspinal muscle fatty infiltrate or
lumbar spinal stenosis, it's time to visit with
your Toronto chiropractor at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre about your treatment
options so you can find relief as fast as possible.
Make your appointment today!