New Research from Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic: 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 solid, evidence-based reassurance, and they're definitely worth discussing with your chiropractor at Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic as you plan your recovery.
YES, YOU CAN EXERCISE WITH SEVERE STENOSIS
Published in Physical Therapy, a large retrospective study of 1,806 patients with mild, moderate, and severe lumbar spinal stenosis tracked outcomes from an exercise-based rehabilitation program, and the findings challenge a common assumption. (1) Investigators reported that participants improved significantly in pain, disability, strength, medication use, and function — and there was no meaningful difference in how well patients responded to exercise based on how advanced their stenosis appeared on scans, with over 11% of participants able to come off narcotic pain medicine completely. In plain terms: a severe-looking scan doesn't mean exercise is off the table.
FOR DISC PROTRUSION, TARGETED STABILIZATION WORK PAYS OFF
A randomized clinical trial published in Health Science Reports followed 60 patients with a single-sided lumbar disc protrusion for an eight-week period, comparing routine physiotherapy by itself to routine physiotherapy combined with supervised stabilization training 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 ultrasound scans revealed greater engagement of the deep abdominal and multifidus muscles that help keep the low back supported. Just as reassuring: across the eight-week trial of supervised training, 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
Neither study is a green light for jumping into just any workout, and the appropriate routine is tailored to your own imaging, symptoms, and goals — so before starting or changing an exercise routine, talk with your chiropractor at Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic in Montreal, 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 shares the benefit of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for spinal stenosis.
