New Research from Chiropractic Spine Sports And 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 2026 offer genuine peace of mind, and they're definitely worth bringing up with your doctor of chiropractic at Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation as you work toward feeling better.
A "SEVERE" SCAN DOESN'T MEAN EXERCISE WON'T HELP
A sizable retrospective study following 1,806 patients with mild, moderate, and severe lumbar spinal stenosis through an exercise-based rehabilitation program was published in Physical Therapy, and its findings push back on a long-held assumption. (1) Researchers found that participants improved significantly in pain levels, functional disability, strength, and medication use — and researchers found no meaningful difference in how well patients responded to exercise based on how severe their stenosis looked on imaging, with more than 1 in 10 participants able to discontinue narcotic pain medication entirely. In other words: a "severe" scan does not mean exercise won't help you.
DISC PROTRUSION: STABILIZATION EXERCISE ADDS MEASURABLE BENEFIT
A randomized controlled trial published in Health Science Reports followed 60 patients with a one-sided lumbar disc protrusion for an eight-week period, comparing standard physiotherapy on its own to routine physiotherapy plus supervised stabilization exercises 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 better engagement of the deep abdominal and multifidus muscles that help support the low back. Just as reassuring: across the full study period of supervised exercise, nobody in the study experienced a decline in symptoms or a injury tied to the program, only some mild, short-lived muscle soreness early on. (2)
ASK US ABOUT YOUR EXERCISE PLAN
This research isn't permission to skip professional guidance, and the right program is tailored to your own imaging, symptoms, and goals — so prior to starting or modifying your exercise routine, talk with your treating chiropractor at Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation in Tonawanda, who can help you move toward relief with confidence instead of fear.
Check out this podcast with Dr. Kurt Olding on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he details the benefit of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for spinal stenosis.
