Canal stenosis treatment becomes necessary when an individual’s condition has progressed to cause noticeable symptoms such as localized or radiating pain, numbness or tingling in the extremities and muscle weakness. For many patients, treatment for canal stenosis begins with a combination of conservative, nonsurgical treatments aimed at controlling his or her symptoms.

Exercises for patients undergoing canal stenosis treatment

One commonly prescribed form of canal stenosis treatment is exercise, which aims to stretch and strengthen the muscles that support the spine. While there are many different exercises that can accomplish this, some experts agree that the following three exercises can help relieve some of the pain associated with canal stenosis:

1. Curl-ups. Lie on the floor on your back and cross your arms over your chest. Tighten your lower abs and slowly raise your head and shoulders off the floor. Hold for two to four seconds and return to the starting position. Aim to complete two sets of 10.
2. Pelvic tilt. Lie on the floor face up with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Flatten your back against the floor by pulling your bellybutton in toward your spine. Hold for 15 seconds and return to the starting position. Aim to complete this exercise eight to 10 times.
3. Knees to chest. Lie on your back on the floor with your feet flat and knees bent. Slowly bring your knees up and into your chest until you feel a stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and return to the starting position. Aim to complete this exercise four to six times.

Be sure to consult with your physician before beginning any new stretches, exercises or any other form of canal stenosis treatment to ensure it will not aggravate your condition. Furthermore, while some discomfort might be expected, if you experience any new or worsened pain while performing these exercises, stop your session immediately and consult with your physician.

Surgery as canal stenosis treatment

If stretching, exercise and other nonsurgical methods of canal stenosis treatment have not provided meaningful relief after several weeks or months, surgery may become an appropriate next option. At USA Spine Care, our surgeons perform minimally invasive outpatient spine surgery to treat individuals with canal stenosis. Our procedures have a patient satisfaction score of 98 and offer shorter recovery times and a reduced risk of complications compared to open spine surgery.^{^} To find out if you are a candidate for minimally invasive outpatient surgery at USA Spine Care, contact us today.