Any suggestions for spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis occurs when you have a narrowing of space in your spinal canal, putting pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves. This pressure may cause neck or back pain that radiates into your arms or legs.

The narrowing may occur in any part of your spine, but most often affects the lumbar spine (lower back) and cervical spine (neck). 

Anyone can develop spinal stenosis. But your risk increases as you get older because of the degenerative changes that occur with age, leading to spinal conditions like osteoarthritis or a herniated disc. 

It’s possible to have spinal stenosis and not know it, especially during the early stages. Because it’s a progessive condition, symptoms may appear sooner or later, and then worsen as you lose more space in the spinal canal.

Unfortunately, you can’t reverse spinal stenosis, but there are many treatments to manage symptoms. The type of treatment best suited for you depends on the location of your spinal stenosis, the severity of your symptoms, and your overall health.

For your spinal stenosis, you can follow these treatment regimen:

1. Stretching, to reduce stress on joints.
2. Exercise, to strengthen muscles.
3. Heat therapy, to improve blood circulation to the muscles and other soft tissues.
4. Ice therapy, to help relieve pain.
5. Cycling and limited walking, to promote good physical conditioning.
6. Aquatic exercises, to allow your body to exercise without pressure on the spine.

For guidance with stretching exercises, please check this link:

• https://exercisesforinjuries.com/5-effective-lower-back-pain-stretches/

For some strengthening exercises:

• https://exercisesforinjuries.com/4-back-strengthening-exercises-you-can-do-at-home/