Spinal Stenosis Treatment

Spinal Stenosis Treatment Starts Here

Spinal stenosis happens when the spaces in the spine narrow and can place pressure on nearby nerves. Symptoms often include back or neck pain, leg or arm discomfort, and pain that worsens with standing or walking. At Mountain View Pain Center, we help identify what’s driving your symptoms and build a plan to reduce pain and improve function.

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Common Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

  • Aching or stiffness in the low back or neck

  • Pain, heaviness, cramping, or fatigue in the legs with walking or standing

  • Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet (or arms/hands depending on the level)

  • Symptoms that improve when sitting, leaning forward, or bending slightly

  • Radiating pain into the buttock, thigh, or calf

  • Balance changes or unsteadiness in some cases

  • Reduced walking tolerance (“shopping cart” relief when leaning forward)

  • Weakness in the legs or feet in more significant cases

Common Causes and Risk Factors

  • Age-related degenerative changes in the spine

  • Disc bulge or disc degeneration

  • Facet joint arthritis and thickened ligaments

  • Prior spine injury or inflammation

  • Congenitally narrower spinal canal (in some people)

  • Poor mobility or movement patterns that increase spinal stress

  • Reduced core/hip strength and stability

When to Seek Urgent Care
Seek urgent evaluation if you have new or worsening weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, saddle numbness, rapidly worsening numbness/tingling, severe unrelenting pain after trauma, fever/chills, or significant new balance problems.

How We Evaluate Spinal Stenosis

To recommend the right treatment, we start by confirming whether your symptom pattern is consistent with stenosis and whether nerves may be involved. Your visit may include a review of walking/standing tolerance, symptom triggers and relief positions, movement testing, and assessment of the spine, hips, and surrounding muscles. If symptoms include radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness, we may also perform a basic neurologic screen. We also check for red flags to determine whether imaging or referral is appropriate.

How We Treat Spinal Stenosis

At Mountain View Pain Center, our multidisciplinary team combines evidence-based care to relieve pain and restore motion:

Pain Management

Targeted diagnostic injections and image-guided procedures when appropriate to reduce inflammation and calm irritated nerves or joints.

Physical Therapy

Movement-based care focused on mobility, posture, strength, and improving walking tolerance—often emphasizing positions and progressions that reduce nerve irritation.

Chiropractic Care

Hands-on care to support joint mobility and reduce muscle tension, tailored to your symptoms and comfort.

Acupuncture

A natural option to support pain relief and relaxation, often combined with your broader plan.

Treatments We Commonly Recommend

  • Mobility and flexibility work (hips, thoracic spine, and lumbar region as appropriate)

  • Core and glute strengthening to support spinal stability

  • Movement retraining and posture strategies

  • Graded activity plan to improve walking tolerance

  • Manual therapy to reduce stiffness and muscle tension

  • Image-guided injections (when appropriate)

  • Home program to reduce flare-ups and build consistency

Home Care & Quick Relief

  • Short, frequent walks or gentle movement—avoid prolonged rest

  • Ice for 10–15 minutes at a time, especially during flare-ups

  • Take posture breaks if standing/walking triggers symptoms

  • Avoid heavy lifting/twisting during flare-ups

  • Gentle mobility work as tolerated and recommended by your care team

Spinal Stenosis FAQs

  • It often causes back or neck stiffness plus leg or arm symptoms like heaviness, cramping, numbness, or tingling—especially with standing or walking.

  • For many people, those positions reduce pressure on irritated nerves, which can temporarily ease symptoms.

  • Not always. If your symptoms or exam suggest imaging would help guide care, we’ll recommend the appropriate next step.

  • Yes. Many people benefit from mobility, strength, posture strategies, and a walking tolerance plan.

  • It depends on severity and symptoms. Many patients benefit from coordinated care—often combining PT, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and, when appropriate, pain management procedures.

  • Often, no. Some insurance plans require a referral or authorization—if you’re unsure, we can help verify.

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