There are many spinal stenosis treatment options available to you. The method you use will depend on the severity and type you have. Your doctor will be able to discuss these spinal stenosis treatment options with you in more detail. Treatment is generally categorized into non-surgical and surgical. It is important that you contact your doctor before beginning any new exercise program, especially if you have back pain.
Non-Surgical Spinal Stenosis Treatment
The first approach for non-surgical treatment is to try to manage the pain and inflammation with over-the-counter pain medication. Anti-inflammatory medication can be helpful. It has also been recommended to take a >B-complex vitamin and 1200 mcg of folic acid; however, this is not supported in medical literature.
While there are many different methods, the three most common include: exercise, activity modification, and epidural injections.
Spinal Stenosis Exercises
These can be categorized into two main categories, which are: strengthening and flexibility. Strengthening exercises are the repetition of muscle contractions, which make the muscles stronger. Flexibility exercises lengthen the muscles over an extended amount of time.
It is important to warm up or stretch before you do a vigorous workout. These exercises can help you prepare for a more vigorous workout while helping to reduce the risk of injury. Make sure to perform each exercise slowly without jerking or bouncing through a motion.
Strengthening Exercises
These tone your muscles to help you develop a stronger abdominal core. This can lead to a more stable spine, which can help to prevent back injury and promote a healthy spine.
- Oblique Trunk Raises – Lie down with your back flat against the floor. Raise your head while reaching with one hand and bringing one of your shoulders towards the opposite hip. Hold for five seconds. Repeat ten times. Follow the same steps on the opposite side.
- Prone Trunk Raises – Lie face down on the floor with your arms beside your body. Tighten your buttocks and raise your head and shoulders straight up from the floor. Do this until you can’t go any higher. Hold for five seconds and repeat ten times.
- Curl Ups – Lie down on your back with your arms at your side. Slightly bend your knees and tilt your pelvis until your back is flat. Raise your shoulders and head until your shoulder blades clear the floor. Hold for five seconds and repeat ten times.
- Prone Arm/Leg Lifts – Stretch out your arms above your head. Lie with your face down on the floor with a towel rolled up and placed under your forehead. Put a pillow under your pelvis and abdomen. Keep your right knees straight while you lift your leg and arm an inch or so from the floor. Hold for five seconds and repeat then time while alternating sides.
Flexibility Exercises
You can improve your flexibility by stretching your range of motion. The more flexibility you have will decrease the risks of injury due to abnormal force on your joints.
- Double Knee to Chest – Lie down with your back against the floor. Pull both knees towards your chest until you feel a stretch in your lower back. This should not be painful, and you should avoid bouncing or jerking. Hold for five seconds and repeat five times.
- Hamstring Stretch – Lie down with your back against the floor. Raise one leg while supporting the back of your thigh. Try to straighten your knees with your hands. Hold until you feel the stretch in the back of your thigh for 20 to 30 seconds comfortably. Release and repeat on the other side. Do this three times.
- Standing Backward Bend – Stand straight with your hands on your hips. Bend backwards. Arch your back until you feel a stretch comfortably. Keep your balance. Hold for five seconds and repeat five times.
- Quadriceps Stretch – Hold on to a chair or something for balance. Bend your leg while raising your foot up behind your thigh. Grab the top of your foot and bring it towards your buttock until you feel a stretch in the front of your thigh. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds. Repeat same steps on the other leg. Do this three times.
If you experience pain while doing these exercises, stop doing them and contact your doctor immediately for more options.
Activity Modification
This is basically the practice of modifying your daily activities to accommodate your pain. You will want to avoid activities that cause your pain to increase. Your doctor can give you specific details; however, here are some ideas for activity modification:
- Walking while bent over and leaning on a walker instead of walking straight
- Stationery bike instead of walking
- Sitting in a recliner instead of a straight back chair
These are just a few ideas to get you started.
Epidural Injections
This involves a cortisone injection into the space outside of the epidural space. This can help to temporarily relieve pain. They are basically a way to manage the pain, but will not cure the cause. You can have up to three injections over several months.
Surgical Spinal Stenosis Treatment Options
This is done as a last resort. The problem with surgery is that it may not be completely effective. Unfortunately, sometimes surgery does not work. Talk to your doctor about the risks involved. Generally, surgery is not discussed until all non-surgical spinal stenosis treatment options have been exhausted without any results.
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