New Research from Hollstrom & Associates Inc: Exercise Helps Spinal Stenosis Patients, Regardless of Severity
Hearing a diagnosis of spinal stenosis or a disc protrusion often makes exercise feel intimidating — could exercise actually cause more damage? Two studies published in this year offer genuine peace of mind, and they're well worth bringing up with your treating chiropractor at Hollstrom & Associates Inc as you work toward feeling better.
YES, YOU CAN EXERCISE WITH SEVERE STENOSIS
A large retrospective study of 1,806 patients published in Physical Therapy looked at people with mild, moderate, and severe lumbar spinal stenosis who completed an exercise-based rehabilitation program, and the results push back on a long-held assumption. (1) Researchers found that patients improved significantly in pain, disability, strength, medication use, and function — and researchers found no meaningful difference in how well people responded to exercise based on how severe their stenosis looked on imaging, with over 11% of participants able to come off narcotic pain medicine completely. In other words: a "severe" scan does not mean exercise won't help you.
DISC PROTRUSION: STABILIZATION EXERCISE ADDS MEASURABLE BENEFIT
A controlled clinical trial published in the journal Health Science Reports followed a group of 60 patients with a single-sided lumbar disc protrusion for an eight-week period, comparing standard physiotherapy on its own to standard physiotherapy paired with supervised stabilization exercises targeting the deep stabilizing muscles of the trunk. Both groups improved in pain, disability, and lumbar range of motion, but the stabilization group improved significantly more — and imaging confirmed stronger performance in the deep core and multifidus muscles that help stabilize the lower spine. Just as reassuring: across eight weeks of supervised training, not a single participant had a worsening of symptoms or a injury tied to the program, only a bit of early, temporary muscle soreness. (2)
ASK US ABOUT YOUR EXERCISE PLAN
Neither study is a green light for jumping into just any workout, and the correct exercise plan is tailored to your own imaging, symptoms, and goals — so prior to starting or modifying your exercise routine, talk with your chiropractor at Hollstrom & Associates Inc in Largo, who can help you move confidently, not fearfully, toward relief.
Check out this podcast with Dr. Kurt Olding on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the advantage of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for spinal stenosis.
