Spinal Stenosis: Home Treatment and Physical Therapy

Surgery can be a good choice when symptoms of spinal stenosis are no longer bearable, and other treatment isn't helping.

But if your symptoms aren't too bad, home treatment and physical--or physio--therapy may be all you need.

Home treatment includes exercises and pain medicines.

Let's talk about exercises first.

Aerobic exercise ... the kind that gets you breathing harder ...

and stretching exercises can help your symptoms.

Exercise also strengthens your muscles, especially if you do it 4 or 5 times a week.

You can try walking on a treadmill with an incline or riding a stationary bike.

In each of these types of exercise, your spine is tilted forward a little as you work out, so it might be more comfortable for you than other exercise.

If you're overweight, losing that extra weight may help you feel better and help keep your symptoms from getting worse.

As for medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist about taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.

And if those don't help, you might get a prescription for something different, either in the form of pills or steroid injections.

Physical therapy is an important treatment.

You'll work with a therapist to help your pain and strengthen the muscles that help support your spine.

Many people with spinal stenosis have found that by using home treatment, therapy, and time, they can feel better, be more active, and avoid surgery.