5 Ways to Prevent Spinal Stenosis Complications

Spinal stenosis is a common degenerative condition that causes your spinal canal to narrow due to age or medical conditions like osteoarthritis. As the narrowing worsens, it can place excess pressure on the nerves in your lower back, causing pain, numbness, and weakness. 

While there’s no cure for spinal stenosis, you can take steps to reduce the risk of complications and improve your quality of life.

At Sunshine Spine and Pain Specialists, PLLC, in Sarasota, Florida, our team of interventional pain management specialists provides high-quality care for spinal stenosis. Keep reading to discover five effective ways to prevent spinal stenosis from worsening.

Preventing complications from spinal stenosis: 5 key steps

When people come to us for spinal stenosis treatment, we often recommend the following:

1. Exercise regularly

Working out when your back hurts might seem counterintuitive, but it’s actually one of the best things you can do. We like to say that movement is medicine. Regular exercise increases circulation and strengthens the muscles in your spine. 

Don’t feel like you have to hit the gym or run a marathon. Low-impact activities, like cycling, walking, and water aerobics, are excellent choices. These activities can improve flexibility and relieve pressure on your spinal nerves without wearing you out. 

If you’re unsure where to start, our team can refer you to a physical therapist who can make personalized treatment recommendations.

2. Maintain a healthy weight

Excess weight increases the likelihood of degenerative changes in your spine. Losing weight reduces pressure on your joints and spine, slowing the progression of spinal stenosis. 

Even better? You don’t need to lose a significant amount to see benefits. Dropping just five pounds can improve your mobility and help prevent further damage. 

3. Use proper posture and ergonomics

Do you spend most of your workday sitting at a computer? Do you tend to slouch when relaxing and scrolling on your tablet? These activities can aggravate spinal stenosis, so it’s important to improve your posture. 

For example, when sitting at a desk, keep your knees bent at a 90-degree angle with your feet flat on the floor. Adjust your monitor to be at eye level, and sit in a chair that supports lower back support. Similarly, take breaks every 30-60 minutes to stand up, stretch, and walk around. 

4. Manage chronic conditions

Medical conditions like osteoarthritis and diabetes can worsen spinal stenosis symptoms. While these issues are chronic, you can manage inflammation and support nerve health. For instance, visit your doctor at least once a year for a check-up, take medications as prescribed, and avoid activities like heavy lifting that can worsen spinal stenosis.

5. Don’t ignore symptoms

Many people with lower back pain try to “tough it out” and manage the condition with home remedies like over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. This may work in some cases, but if spinal stenosis is the underlying cause, the earlier you seek treatment, the better. 

Contact us immediately if you experience lower back pain that lasts more than a few days, especially if the pain occurs alongside numbness, tingling, or weakness in your lower legs.

After an exam and diagnostic imaging, we can treat your condition with a combination of physical therapy, medication, and regenerative medicine. The sooner you act, the greater the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Request spinal stenosis treatment today!

If you’re concerned about spinal stenosis, request a consultation today through online booking or by calling Sunshine Spine and Pain Specialists, PLLC. We look forward to helping you!