What Is Spinal Stenosis

Dr. Eric Berg 10/14/2024

Many people struggle with spinal stenosis, especially as they age. Spinal stenosis causes a narrowing of the spinal column, which puts pressure on your spinal cord and nerves. This can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness.

The traditional view is that this issue stems from age-related wear and tear like bone spurs, thinning discs, and arthritis. But what if I told you there's often a deeper, underlying cause of spinal stenosis?

As a doctor, I've seen that what many traditional doctors tell their patients about spinal stenosis causes isn't always the full picture. You deserve to understand the root causes so you can find long-term solutions.

In this post, we're going to uncover a crucial factor you might not hear about elsewhere. It all comes down to a protein called Matrix GLA protein, also known as MGP.

Understanding Spinal Stenosis Causes: Beyond Wear and Tear

Here’s the thing. Our bodies are amazingly designed to regulate processes like bone growth and mineral deposition. We produce MGP, which naturally prevents excess calcium buildup in the wrong places, including within our joints and the ligaments of the spine.

You see, calcium is crucial for strong bones. But when it starts depositing in soft tissues, it spells trouble. It's like constructing a wall within a hallway that's supposed to be open and free-flowing—it restricts space and causes problems.

In the case of spinal stenosis causes, these calcium deposits build up around the spinal column and constrict the space, resulting in those painful symptoms.

Back pain

The Vitamin K2 Connection and Spinal Stenosis

The problem isn’t usually a lack of MGP. It’s more often that the MGP isn’t able to do its job properly because it lacks a critical activator:

Vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 is like the key that turns the lock, enabling MGP to effectively clear out those excessive calcium deposits from the ligaments and direct calcium to where it should be – in the bones.

This helps keep our spinal columns healthy and free from stenosis-causing constrictions. The problem is that many people don’t get enough Vitamin K2 in their diet. It's primarily found in grass-fed animal products, not the grain-fed meats and dairy most commonly consumed today.

This means individuals are missing out on this critical vitamin, and their bodies might struggle to activate MGP and keep their spinal column healthy. Addressing vitamin K2 deficiency may be a way to counteract spinal stenosis.

How You Can Help Your Body Counteract Spinal Stenosis Causes

While aging and wear and tear can play a role, I've often seen significant improvement in spinal stenosis patients when they address potential underlying causes, such as Vitamin K2 deficiency.

While more research is always being done, there’s promising evidence suggesting this connection. Here are some actionable steps to take.

Firstly, incorporate more vitamin K2-rich foods into your diet, such as:

Grass-fed dairy products like butter, cheese, and yogurt.
Grass-fed meats, including beef and lamb.
Pasture-raised chicken and eggs (look for "pastured" on the label).

If you follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, fermented soybean products like natto can be great sources of vitamin K2.

Don't Let Spinal Stenosis Hold You Back

Remember, information is power. While there’s no single solution, addressing the root cause of spinal stenosis is key for relief and long-term management.

This proactive approach empowers you to improve your overall well-being, enhance your quality of life, and enjoy greater physical freedom.

Remember to consult with a trusted healthcare provider to create a personalized plan addressing your unique health needs.

Sciatica skeletal model

Finding Freedom

Highlights the importance of identifying the root causes of chronic pain to find lasting solutions. Whether it’s from spinal stenosis, inflammation, or nerve compression, understanding the origin of discomfort is key to managing and alleviating it.

For instance, those suffering from sciatica can experience debilitating pain radiating down the leg. Learning how to relieve sciatic nerve pain involves a combination of gentle stretches, physical therapy, and posture adjustments to reduce pressure on the nerve.

Additionally, anti-inflammatory treatments, heat therapy, and lifestyle changes can play a crucial role in long-term relief. By addressing the underlying causes of pain, individuals can find more freedom and regain control over their mobility and well-being.

Conclusion

If you're looking to get a better understanding of what actually causes spinal stenosis, look no further. Understanding the root cause of spinal stenosis allows for proper treatment, and with the correct adjustments to your lifestyle you will be on the right path.

While I always say that I'm not a medical doctor and can't offer medical advice, what I can tell you is to work closely with a healthcare provider.

They can help tailor a personalized treatment strategy that meets your specific needs and may even suggest further investigations to accurately determine if nutrient deficiencies or other factors are playing a role in your case.

FAQs about spinal stenosis causes

What is the main cause of spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis causes can stem from different things. Usually, people talk about wear and tear with age, things like arthritis, thinning discs, and bone spurs that crowd the spinal column. However, this might be only one part of the problem.

An often overlooked aspect is the potential for vitamin K2 deficiency hindering your body's natural ability to regulate calcium deposits and prevent them from building up in those sensitive spinal areas.

What can worsen spinal stenosis?

Beyond aging, other things like repetitive stress on your spine (think heavy lifting or poor posture), certain injuries, genetics, obesity, and inflammatory conditions can also contribute to spinal stenosis causes.

How do you fix spinal stenosis?

It's crucial to remember that there isn't a quick-fix when we're talking about your health. Depending on how severe the condition is, treatments can vary widely from conservative measures to surgical options.

Sometimes lifestyle adjustments, pain medications, and physical therapy are recommended to address symptoms. In more severe cases, your doctor may consider surgery to decompress the affected area, but that's usually a last resort.

Does spinal stenosis go away?

As for if spinal stenosis fully goes away? It really depends. The truth is, while conservative treatment options and lifestyle adjustments may provide symptom relief and improve quality of life, the structural changes already present may not fully reverse.