How dangerous is spinal stenosis?

How dangerous spinal canal stenosis really is cannot be said in general terms. It depends on how severe the symptoms of the affected person are, how strong the constriction is, what can be seen on the basis of MRI images and, above all, what is the cause of the constriction. If the cause of the spinal canal stenosis is one that has only developed due to degenerative changes, it can be stopped or improved by physiotherapy and self-exercises.

If the cause worsens more quickly and would further constrict the spinal canal, a surgical procedure should be considered in order to avoid complete nerve failure. In most cases, however, it is tumor diagnoses that accelerate a significant worsening. If the symptoms get worse rather than better, a surgical procedure should also be considered. Otherwise, however, spinal canal stenosis is not dangerous. In this case, only intensive physiotherapy, muscle building and self-exercises should be performed to relieve the pressure on the spinal canal.

What can I do, which treatment is the right one?

The most important thing in spinal canal stenosis is to enlarge the spinal canal. For this purpose, intensive physiotherapy should be performed.Due to degenerative changes, the spinal canal becomes smaller, which can be improved by increasing the bending position of the spine. Physiotherapy makes use of this.

In the prone position or in the therapeutic prone position (legs hanging down from the edge of the bench) the therapist additionally gives a push on the pelvis to increase traction. In addition, the patient is often hung in the sling table to also provide traction (pulling apart) on the back. The stepped positioning with or without heat pad also relieves the strain and loosens the muscles.

If there is a hypertonus of the back muscles or also buttocks and leg muscles, this should be loosened. A posture school is also very important. Since the patient with spinal canal stenosis usually hangs in the hollow back, the behavior pattern should show how to avoid this in everyday life.

In addition, a strengthening program for the back and abdominal muscles should be carried out. If the symptoms do not improve and everything has been tried in the therapy, there is the possibility of an operation to widen the spinal canal. The article Exercises against a hollow back might still interest you.