New Research from Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation: Exercise Helps Spinal Stenosis Patients, Regardless of Severity
If your imaging shows spinal stenosis or a disc protrusion, feeling cautious about exercise is completely understandable — what if the wrong movement makes things worse? Two studies published in this year offer solid, evidence-based reassurance, and they're worth discussing with your doctor of chiropractic at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation as you plan your recovery.
SEVERE STENOSIS ON YOUR SCAN? EXERCISE STILL WORKS
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 widespread assumption. (1) Investigators reported that study participants improved significantly in pain levels, functional disability, strength, and medication use — and researchers found no meaningful difference in how well people responded to exercise based on how advanced their stenosis appeared on scans, with more than 1 in 10 participants able to discontinue narcotic pain medication entirely. In other words: a severe-looking scan doesn't mean exercise is off the table.
DISC PROTRUSION: STABILIZATION EXERCISE ADDS MEASURABLE BENEFIT
A randomized clinical trial published in the journal Health Science Reports followed a group of 60 patients with a single-sided lumbar disc protrusion for eight weeks, comparing routine physiotherapy alone to routine physiotherapy plus supervised stabilization exercises targeting the deep stabilizing muscles of the trunk. Pain, disability, and lumbar range of motion improved in both groups, though the stabilization group saw significantly greater gains — and ultrasound scans revealed stronger activation of the deep core and multifidus muscles that help keep the low back supported. Just as encouraging: across eight weeks of supervised exercise, no participant experienced a decline in symptoms or a exercise-related injury, only mild soreness in the first weeks that resolved on its own. (2)
LET’S TALK AT YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT
These findings don't mean every exercise is right for every spine, and the right program is shaped by your particular imaging, symptoms, and goals — so prior to starting or modifying your exercise routine, talk with your doctor of chiropractic at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation in Carrolltown, who can help you approach relief with confidence rather than fear.
Check out this podcast with Dr. Kurt Olding on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares the benefit of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for spinal stenosis.
