Symptoms

• Common symptoms of spinal stenosis include numbness, pain or cramping in your shoulders, arms, back, neck or legs. You may seem clumsier or tend to fall more. In some cases, stenosis is severe enough that it affects the nerves controlling bowel and bladder function.
  
  

Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Treatment

• Physical therapy can be helpful in maintaining the flexibility of your spine and building strength. A physical therapy session may include massage, stretching, and abdominal and back strengthening exercises. Chiropractic manipulation may relieve some of your symptoms, although you should avoid this kind of treatment if you have a disk herniation or osteoporosis.
  
  

Resting

• Resting and temporarily reducing your activity level can result in reduction of symptoms. Once your symptoms have subsided, you can gradually return to a more active lifestyle and take part in moderate exercise, such as walking or biking. In some cases, wearing a back brace or corset may held support your spine as you begin to participate in your normal activities.
  
  

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and Analgesics

• Commonly known by the brand names Motrin, Advil and Indocin, NSAIDs work by reducing pain and inflammation and are best at controlling mild pain. Overuse can cause bleeding stomach ulcers. Analgesics, such as Tylenol, help reduce mild pain, but carry the risk of liver or kidney damage if they are used too often.
  
  

Steroid Shots

• If your pain is severe, your doctor may recommend an epidural steroid injection. Corticosteroids are injected into the spinal fluid that surrounds your spinal cord and nerves, helping to relieve the pain and numbness that can radiate down the back of your leg from your spine. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends that these injections be given no more than three times per year due to the potential for serious side effects. Side effects may include infection, bleeding or nerve damage.
  
  

Surgery

• If non-surgical methods don't relieve your symptoms, surgery may be needed to relieve pressure and maintain the structure of your spine. Fusion may be used to permanently connect two or more vertebrae in your spine. This surgery is helpful if your spine has become unstable. During fusion surgery, pieces of bone from your body or a donor are placed between the vertebrae. Over time, these new bone pieces fuse with your existing vertebrae, resulting in a more stable spine. If you are experiencing significant pain or weakness, a laminectomy may be recommended. This type of surgery is used to remove the bone, ligaments or bone spurs that are pressing on the spinal nerves, creating more room for the spinal nerves and alleviating your symptoms.