What Is Spinal Stenosis?
If you’ve been told you have spinal stenosis, you may have questions like:
- What exactly is narrowing?
- Does this mean I’ll eventually need surgery?
- Why do my legs hurt when I walk?
- Can conservative treatment still help?
These are all common concerns.
The word stenosis simply means narrowing.
In spinal stenosis, the spaces within the spine that normally allow the spinal cord or spinal nerves to pass become smaller than normal. As these spaces narrow, the surrounding nerves may become irritated or compressed, producing symptoms that range from mild discomfort to significant limitations in walking or daily activities.
The important thing to remember is that not everyone with spinal stenosis experiences symptoms, and the amount of narrowing seen on imaging does not always match the amount of pain someone feels.
How the Spine Normally Protects Your Nerves
Your spine is more than a stack of bones.
It is designed to:
- Protect the spinal cord
- Allow spinal nerves to safely exit the spine
- Support your body’s weight
- Provide flexibility and movement
- Absorb the forces of everyday activities
Each nerve exits the spine through a small opening called the neural foramen before traveling to different parts of the body.
When those openings—or the spinal canal itself—become narrower, nearby nerves may become irritated.
Depending on where the narrowing occurs, symptoms may affect the:
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Arms
- Hands
- Lower back
- Buttocks
- Legs
- Feet
What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis usually develops gradually rather than suddenly.
Several conditions may contribute to narrowing over time.
Arthritis
As arthritis develops, the body sometimes forms bone spurs around the joints of the spine.
These changes may gradually reduce the space available for nearby nerves.
Degenerative Disc Disease
As spinal discs lose height with age, the spaces where nerves exit the spine may become smaller.
This can increase pressure on the surrounding nerves.
Thickened Ligaments
Ligaments that normally help stabilize the spine may gradually thicken over time, contributing to narrowing within the spinal canal.
Bulging or Herniated Discs
Disc injuries may further reduce the space available for spinal nerves.
Many patients actually have several contributing factors occurring simultaneously.
Common Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
Symptoms depend upon which nerves are affected.
Many patients experience:
- Low back pain
- Neck pain
- Pain into the buttocks
- Leg pain
- Arm pain
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Muscle fatigue
One of the classic signs of lumbar spinal stenosis is:
Pain While Walking
Many patients notice they can only walk a certain distance before developing pain, numbness, heaviness, or weakness in the legs.
Interestingly, many people feel better after:
- Sitting down
- Leaning forward
- Resting briefly
This pattern often helps distinguish spinal stenosis from other causes of leg pain.
Why Leaning Forward Often Feels Better
Patients frequently tell us:
“I can walk farther if I’m pushing a shopping cart.”
This is a very common observation.
Leaning slightly forward often increases the available space around the spinal nerves, temporarily reducing irritation.
That’s why many individuals with lumbar spinal stenosis notice they feel better:
- Walking uphill
- Leaning on a shopping cart
- Riding a stationary bicycle
Recognizing these patterns provides valuable clues during the diagnostic process.
Does Spinal Stenosis Always Require Surgery?
No.
Although surgery is sometimes appropriate for severe cases, many patients are successfully managed with conservative treatment.
The best treatment depends on several factors, including:
- The severity of symptoms
- Neurological findings
- Functional limitations
- Overall health
- Response to conservative care
- Imaging findings
Our goal is to determine which patients are appropriate candidates for conservative treatment while recognizing when referral to another healthcare provider is in the patient’s best interest.
How Doyle Chiropractic Treats Spinal Stenosis
Every case of spinal stenosis is different.
Some patients experience only occasional stiffness.
Others develop leg pain after walking only short distances.
Some have mild narrowing seen on imaging with very few symptoms, while others have significant functional limitations.
That is why treatment always begins with a comprehensive examination.
Rather than treating the MRI alone, Dr. Geoffrey Doyle evaluates the entire clinical picture, including:
- Your symptoms
- Walking tolerance
- Neurological function
- Muscle strength
- Reflexes
- Sensation
- Joint mobility
- Functional movement
- Imaging findings, when available
- Whether additional testing or referral is appropriate
The goal is to determine whether conservative care is appropriate and to develop an individualized treatment plan based on your specific condition.
Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include one or more conservative therapies.
Chiropractic Adjustments
When appropriate, chiropractic adjustments help improve motion in spinal joints that have become restricted.
Restoring healthier movement may reduce unnecessary mechanical stress throughout the spine while improving overall mobility.
Treatment techniques are always selected based on the patient’s diagnosis, comfort level, age, and examination findings.
For patients with spinal stenosis, the goal is not to “force open” narrowed spaces, but to help the spine function as efficiently and comfortably as possible.
Class IV Laser Therapy
Class IV laser therapy delivers therapeutic light energy into injured tissues to support the body’s natural healing response.
Inflammation surrounding irritated joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves frequently contributes to pain.
Many patients report improved comfort and mobility when laser therapy is incorporated into a comprehensive conservative treatment plan.
Spinal Decompression
Some patients with spinal stenosis may benefit from spinal decompression, particularly when disc-related changes contribute to narrowing around the nerves.
Computerized spinal decompression gently applies controlled distraction forces to the spine, helping reduce pressure on affected structures while promoting healthier spinal mechanics.
Not every patient with spinal stenosis is a candidate for decompression.
Your examination helps determine whether it is an appropriate treatment option.
Therapeutic Exercise
Exercise is often one of the most important components of long-term management.
Individualized rehabilitation programs may focus on improving:
- Core strength
- Flexibility
- Balance
- Walking endurance
- Hip mobility
- Functional movement
Maintaining mobility and strength often helps patients remain active and independent for many years.
Lifestyle and Activity Modification
Simple changes in daily activities may significantly reduce irritation of spinal nerves.
Depending on your condition, recommendations may include:
- Activity pacing
- Walking modifications
- Home stretching
- Postural changes
- Ergonomic improvements
- Weight management when appropriate
Small improvements performed consistently often have a meaningful impact on long-term function.
The Dr. Doyle Perspective
“One of the most encouraging conversations I have with patients who have spinal stenosis is explaining that an MRI doesn’t automatically determine their future. Many people assume that because narrowing is present, surgery is inevitable. In reality, I’ve treated many patients who continue to enjoy active lives through conservative care, regular exercise, and appropriate activity modification. Our goal is to help patients function as well as possible while carefully monitoring for situations where additional medical evaluation may become necessary.”
— Dr. Geoffrey Doyle, DC
Our Clinical Experience
Our experience treating patients with spinal stenosis has shown that patient selection and consistency are among the biggest predictors of success.
Patients with mild to moderate symptoms who remain active, participate in their home exercise program, and seek treatment before significant neurological deficits develop often experience the most meaningful improvements. Because spinal stenosis is frequently a gradual, age-related condition, treatment is typically focused on improving function, reducing pain, and helping patients maintain their quality of life rather than reversing the underlying anatomical changes.
Based on our internal clinical observations:
- Chiropractic adjustments alone have produced approximately a 92% clinical success rate for appropriately selected patients when success is defined as at least a 50% improvement in symptoms or function.
- When Class IV laser therapy is incorporated into treatment, our observed success rate increases to approximately 94%.
- For appropriately selected patients receiving chiropractic adjustments, Class IV laser therapy, spinal decompression when indicated, and progressive rehabilitation, our observed success rate has approached 97%.
These represent internal clinical observations from Doyle Chiropractic and should not be interpreted as guarantees or published scientific outcome data. Every patient’s diagnosis, severity of spinal narrowing, overall health, and response to treatment are unique.
When Should You Seek Immediate Medical Attention?
Although many cases of spinal stenosis can be managed conservatively, certain symptoms require prompt medical evaluation.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Sudden or rapidly worsening leg weakness
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Numbness in the groin or saddle region
- Significant difficulty walking that rapidly worsens
- Progressive neurological symptoms
- Severe pain following significant trauma
These symptoms may indicate a more serious neurological condition requiring urgent evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can spinal stenosis be cured?
Spinal stenosis is usually related to age-related structural changes within the spine. While conservative treatment cannot eliminate those anatomical changes, many patients experience substantial improvements in pain, mobility, and overall function.
Is walking good for spinal stenosis?
For many patients, yes. However, the amount and type of walking should be individualized. Some people benefit from shorter, more frequent walks combined with strengthening and flexibility exercises.
Will everyone with spinal stenosis need surgery?
No. Many patients successfully manage their symptoms with conservative care. Surgery is generally considered when significant neurological deficits, severe functional limitations, or failure of appropriate conservative treatment make it the best option.
Should I stop exercising?
In most cases, remaining appropriately active is beneficial. Your exercise program should be tailored to your diagnosis, symptoms, and overall health.
