Spinal Stenosis: Minimally Invasive Treatments for Lasting Relief

Spinal stenosis develops when the spinal canal narrows and begins pressing on the nerves inside it, causing pain, numbness, or weakness that can spread into the arms or legs. At Summit Spine & Joint Centers, our board-certified physicians identify the exact level and cause of that narrowing, then build a treatment plan that starts with the least invasive option that can get you real relief.

What Is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within the spine, most often in the lower back (lumbar spinal stenosis) or the neck (cervical spinal stenosis). As that space shrinks, it can crowd the nerve roots or spinal cord running through it, leading to pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. This page focuses on lumbar spinal stenosis, the more common form, though many of the same non-surgical treatment principles apply to cervical cases as well.

Spinal stenosis is often a gradual, age-related condition rather than the result of a single injury, which means symptoms can build slowly over months or years before a patient seeks treatment.

What Causes Spinal Stenosis?

A number of degenerative changes can narrow the spinal canal over time, including:

• Degenerative disc changes: As spinal discs lose height and cushioning with age, the space around the nerve roots can shrink.
• Bone spurs: Osteoarthritis can cause extra bone growth that projects into the spinal canal.
• Thickened ligaments: The ligaments that support the spine can thicken over time, a common contributor to the narrowing that the MILD procedure is designed to treat.
• Herniated or bulging discs: Disc material pushing into the canal can add to the narrowing alongside other causes.
• Spinal injuries or prior surgery: Trauma or changes from a previous spine procedure can also reduce the available space over time.

Spinal Stenosis Symptoms

Symptoms depend on which level of the spine is affected and how much pressure is on the nerves, but commonly include:

• Radiating leg or arm pain: Pain that spreads from the lower back into the buttocks and legs, or from the neck into the shoulders and arms.
• Numbness or tingling: A pins-and-needles sensation along the path of the affected nerve.
• Neurogenic claudication: Leg pain, cramping, or heaviness that appears when standing or walking and eases when sitting down or leaning forward.
• Weakness: Difficulty lifting the foot, gripping objects, or maintaining balance, depending on which nerves are involved.
• Symptoms that worsen with activity: Standing upright or walking distances often intensifies symptoms more than sitting or lying down.

Non-Surgical and Minimally Invasive Treatment Options

Most patients with spinal stenosis improve without open spine surgery. Summit Spine & Joint Centers builds each treatment plan around the specific level and severity of narrowing, and options may include:

• Physical therapy and activity modification: Targeted exercises and posture changes to relieve pressure on the affected nerves.
• Lumbar epidural steroid injections: An image-guided injection that delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected level. Learn more on our lumbar epidural steroid injection page.
• MILD procedure: A minimally invasive outpatient procedure that removes small pieces of bone and thickened ligament crowding the spinal canal, with no implants or general anesthesia. Read more on our MILD procedure page.
• Vertiflex Superion: An FDA-approved implant that holds the spinal canal open during standing and walking, offered as an alternative to traditional decompression surgery. Learn more on our Vertiflex Superion page.

Because spinal stenosis can also be a cause of lumbar radiculopathy and sciatica, our lumbar radiculopathy and sciatica page covers additional treatment options when nerve-root symptoms extend down the leg.

Gentle Exercises for Spinal Stenosis Relief

Because spinal stenosis symptoms typically ease with forward flexion, certain gentle stretches and low-impact activities can help many patients manage day-to-day discomfort alongside professional treatment. Always check with your physician before starting a new routine, especially if your symptoms are severe.

• Knee-to-chest stretch: Gently pulling one or both knees toward the chest while lying on your back to open space in the lower spine.
• Seated forward flexion: Leaning forward while seated, similar to leaning on a shopping cart, to briefly relieve pressure on the nerves.
• Stationary or recumbent biking: A forward-leaning, low-impact activity that many patients tolerate better than walking upright.
• Short, frequent walks: Brief walks with rest breaks, rather than long continuous walking, to build tolerance without triggering symptoms.

These exercises work best as part of a broader plan built by your physician, since the right activity depends on the specific level and cause of your stenosis.

When to See a Specialist

Occasional stiffness or mild discomfort often responds to rest and activity changes, but you should see a specialist if leg or arm symptoms worsen, if your walking distance continues to shrink, or if you notice new weakness, numbness, or difficulty with bladder or bowel control, which can signal a more serious nerve issue requiring prompt evaluation.

Why Choose Summit Spine & Joint Centers

Patients need a physician who understands both the clinical and practical sides of recovery. Summit Spine & Joint Centers offers:

• Board-certified physicians with fellowship training in image-guided spine and pain procedures.
• Non-surgical treatment options to address pain at its source.
• Multiple locations in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
• Personalized care plans built around your diagnosis and recovery goals.
• Advanced diagnostic imaging and image-guided procedures available under one practice.
• Same-day appointments available in many cases, so care is not delayed.