Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis — the narrowing of the spinal canal — compresses nerves and causes pain, numbness, and weakness that can severely limit walking and daily activity. SOT chiropractic care decompresses the spine and restores function.

What Is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within the spine that puts pressure on the nerves traveling through it. It most commonly occurs in the lumbar spine (causing leg pain with walking) and cervical spine (causing arm weakness and balance problems). Causes include osteoarthritis, disc bulging, thickened ligaments, and bone spurs. The condition progresses gradually and worsens with prolonged standing or walking, typically relieving with sitting or forward bending.

Common Symptoms

Pain, numbness, or cramping in the legs that worsens with walking (neurogenic claudication)
Lower back pain that eases when sitting or bending forward
Weakness in legs, feet, or arms
Balance problems and difficulty walking long distances
Neck pain with arm weakness or numbness in cervical stenosis
Bladder or bowel dysfunction in severe cases

Common Causes & Contributing Factors

Osteoarthritis and age-related degeneration of spinal joints
Disc bulging and herniation narrowing the spinal canal
Thickened ligamentum flavum reducing canal space
Bone spurs (osteophytes) growing into the canal
Spondylolisthesis — slippage of one vertebra over another
Previous spinal injury or surgery creating scar tissue

The Pura Vida Protocol: Chiropractic Care for Spinal Stenosis

SOT chiropractic care for spinal stenosis focuses on reducing mechanical loading on the spinal canal through precise pelvic and spinal correction. Dr. Foss uses gentle category-based SOT protocols that decompress the lumbar segments without forced manipulation. By correcting sacropelvic mechanics, axial loading through the degenerative segments is reduced and neurological function improves. Many patients with moderate stenosis experience significant relief in walking distance and daily comfort. Advanced regenerative therapies further reduce inflammation within the stenotic levels.

At Pura Vida Chiropractic, Dr. Foss uses Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) — a gentle, category-based system that addresses the spine, pelvis, and craniosacral rhythm as one integrated unit. SOT restores proper biomechanics, reduces nerve interference, and creates the neurological environment your body needs to heal itself.

Advanced Therapies We Combine With Chiropractic

For many patients, combining spinal correction with regenerative therapies produces faster and more lasting results. Depending on your condition, Dr. Foss may incorporate one or more of the following:

SoftWave Therapy

Patented unfocused shock waves spread over a broad treatment area to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and activate stem cells — promoting cellular regeneration and long-term pain relief.

Class IV Laser Therapy

Photobiomodulation with a 10–15W Class IV laser delivers therapeutic light energy deep into tissue, reducing inflammation, blocking pain signals, and speeding healing at the cellular level.

Why Choose Pura Vida Chiropractic in San Antonio?

Pura Vida Chiropractic is a family-friendly, bilingual (English/Spanish) clinic serving San Antonio, TX. Dr. Dan Foss is trained in Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT), a comprehensive chiropractic system that addresses the whole body — not just the area of pain. We combine hands-on spinal correction with the latest regenerative technology to help patients resolve the root cause of their condition rather than masking symptoms.

We are insurance friendly with most insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, Ambetter, Oscar Health, Community First, and Molina Healthcare. New patient appointments are available promptly.

Ready to Get Relief from Spinal Stenosis?

Schedule your new patient appointment with Dr. Foss at Pura Vida Chiropractic in San Antonio, TX. We'll identify the root cause and build a personalized care plan.

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