If you’ve been diagnosed with foraminal narrowing, you understand the pain and discomfort that often accompanies this condition. You’ve likely already started a doctor-recommended foraminal narrowing treatment program designed to relieve symptoms and potentially take pressure off of the pinched nerve in your spine. In addition to conservative treatments such as pain medication and physical therapy, most doctors will recommend exercise as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Exercises to help you manage foraminal narrowing symptoms

You should always consult your doctor before adding to or changing your prescribed foraminal narrowing treatment plan. Ask about these three exercises for foraminal narrowing treatment to see if they are right for you.

1. Back bend. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and place your hands on your lower back, just above your buttocks. Slowly arch your back backward, lifting your chin and chest toward the ceiling. Hold this position for five seconds and then return to your starting position.
2. Water walking. Walking in a pool is a great exercise to add to your foraminal narrowing treatment plan. Walking in the water helps strengthen the muscles surrounding your spine to take pressure off of a compressed nerve in your foraminal canal. Additionally, walking in water naturally lengthens the body due to the buoyancy of the upper body. This will gently stretch the spine and temporarily relieve pressure on the pinched nerve.
3. Restorative yoga. Restorative yoga is a great addition to your foraminal narrowing treatment plan. This type of exercise simultaneously lengthens the spine to relieve pressure on the pinched nerve and then strengthens the muscles surrounding the spine to help hold the components of the spine in place.

When to consider foraminal narrowing surgery

For more information regarding exercises and stretches that can be added to your foraminal narrowing treatment plan, consult your doctor. If you’d like to learn more about the treatment options available to you, including the minimally invasive spine surgery offered at USA Spine Care, contact our team today.

We can provide you with a no-cost MRI review* to determine if you are a candidate for one of our procedures.

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