Spinal stenosis is one of the most frequent causes of back and neck pain and is characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal that causes compression of the spinal cord and or nerve roots. Some people with spinal stenosis experience no symptoms, while others may experience pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness that can worsen over time.
Interventional pain management strategies and minimally invasive pain management techniques are one of the most effective ways to treat spinal stenosis pain. Additionally, your pain management specialist may also refer you to a physical therapist who may advise several exercises to relieve your back or neck pain.
Let’s discuss the most common physical therapy exercises for spinal stenosis and their benefits.
Sustained Lumbar Extension
Sustained lumbar extension is an exercise that gently presses against the soft lumbar discs and nudges them away from the spinal cord, giving your lumbar nerves a little more room.
To perform a sustained lumbar extension exercise, simply stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and bend backward. Hold in this position for 60 seconds. You may feel pain in your back while performing this exercise. If the symptoms, such as pain or tingling, subside within 30 seconds of exercise, you can add it to your exercise routine.
Lumbar Flexion
Lumbar flexion can help subside the pain and tingling resulting from spinal stenosis, improving your back mobility.
To perform lumbar flexion:
- Lie on your back with your knees bent.
- Slowly bring your knees closer to your chest and grab onto them with your hands and arms.
- Hold your knees in this position for at least two seconds, and then release your knees back to the starting position.
A number flexion can also be performed in a standing and seated position. It can reduce your back pain, leg pain, and tingling during walking.
Hip and Core Strengthening Exercises
Hip and core strengthening exercises improve how the muscles supporting your spine work. Posterior pelvic tilt is one great exercise that improves the working of your abdominal and hip muscles while flexing your spine.
To perform pelvic tilt, simply lie on your back with your knees bent and slowly roll your pelvis backward as if you are flattening out your spine. Stay still in this position for at least three seconds and then slowly return to the starting position.
Aerobic Exercises
With worsening spinal stenosis symptoms, you may be tempted to decrease your aerobic activity level. However, activities such as walking and biking are stenosis-friendly and can significantly improve the symptoms of spinal stenosis.
Benefits Of Physical Therapy Exercises in Spinal Stenosis
Physical therapy exercises, interventional pain management strategies, and minimally invasive techniques can significantly improve the symptoms of spinal stenosis, such as pain, tingling, and numbness. The exercises are designed to strengthen and stretch the muscles surrounding the spine, increase spinal flexibility, and improve spine mobility. Physical therapy exercises can also help prevent the progression of spinal stenosis.
Spinal Stenosis Treatment in Melbourne, FL
Spinal stenosis can also compress the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica. A condition that results in a variety of symptoms, including pain, tingling numbness, or weakness, that travels down the back of the leg.
Whether you are suffering from sciatica or some other kind of neck or back pain due to spinal stenosis and are looking for a lasting solution, look no further than Central Florida Spine & Pain. We are a top-notch and highly reputable pain clinic that caters to all types of pain and is staffed with a board-certified interventional pain management doctor who offers a comprehensive range of high-quality treatments and techniques to manage the pain of our patients.
If you would like to find out more about our pain management techniques or want to schedule a consultation with our pain management specialist, reach us at (321) 802-5021 or fill out our online appointment request form now.
