Spinal Stenosis
Understanding symptoms, causes and treatment for Spinal Stenosis near Andover, Hampshire.
Spinal stenosis is a condition where the spaces within the spine become narrower, placing pressure on the spinal cord or the nerves that travel down into the legs. This can lead to back pain, leg pain, numbness or weakness, particularly when standing or walking.
At Hampshire Spine & Joint Clinic in Andover, we frequently see patients with symptoms related to spinal stenosis. Many people experience gradual onset of symptoms over time, often related to age-related changes in the spine. In some cases where disc problems contribute to nerve compression, treatments such as spinal decompression therapy may be considered.
What Is a Spinal Stenosis?
The spine contains a central canal through which the spinal cord and nerves travel. In spinal stenosis, this canal becomes narrowed, which can compress nearby nerves.
The most common type is lumbar spinal stenosis, affecting the lower back. This often causes pain, tingling, or weakness in the legs.
The narrowing may be caused by several structural changes, including:
Disc bulging
Thickening of ligaments
Arthritic changes in the facet joints
Bone spurs (osteophytes)
These changes can gradually reduce the available space for the nerves.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the degree of nerve compression but may include:
Pain in the lower back
Pain, heaviness, or cramping in the legs when walking
Relief when sitting or bending forward
Numbness or tingling in the legs
Weakness in the legs
Reduced walking distance
A classic feature of spinal stenosis is neurogenic claudication, where leg pain develops during walking but improves when sitting or leaning forward.
Cause and risk factors
Spinal stenosis most commonly develops as part of the natural ageing process.
Common contributing factors include:
Degenerative disc disease
Osteoarthritis of the spine
Thickened spinal ligaments
Bone spurs
Previous spinal injury
Congenital narrowing of the spinal canal
The condition is most common in adults over the age of 50.
How Common Is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is one of the most common causes of leg pain in older adults.
Studies suggest that lumbar spinal stenosis affects up to 10–20% of people over the age of 60 to some degree, although not everyone experiences symptoms.
Many people live with mild narrowing without significant pain.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis usually involves a combination of:
Detailed clinical history
Physical examination
Assessment of walking tolerance and nerve symptoms
If symptoms suggest significant nerve compression, imaging such as MRI scanning may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of narrowing.
MRI scans can also help determine whether a patient may benefit from treatments such as spinal decompression therapy.
Treatment Options
Most cases of sciatica improve with conservative treatment.
Management aims to reduce nerve irritation, restore movement and support recovery.
In some cases, spinal stenosis symptoms may be related to disc bulging or degenerative disc changes. Treatments such as spinal decompression therapy may sometimes be used to help reduce pressure within the affected disc and improve nerve irritation.
Osteopathic treatment can help improve spinal mobility, reduce muscle tension and support better movement patterns around the affected area.
Treatment may include:
• gentle spinal mobilisation
• soft tissue treatment
• movement and posture advice
Osteopathy
Targeted exercises can help improve:
spinal stability
hip mobility
walking tolerance
Rehabilitation programmes are often designed to help patients stay active while avoiding positions that aggravate symptoms.
Rehabilitation
Spinal Decompression - IDD Therapy
For some patients with nerve compression related to disc bulging or degenerative disc disease, IDD Therapy spinal decompression may be recommended.
IDD Therapy uses computer-controlled traction to gently stretch the spine and reduce pressure on the affected discs and nerves.
This treatment is designed to help improve spinal mechanics and relieve nerve irritation without surgery.
IDD Therapy is commonly used for conditions such as:
• disc herniation
• disc bulges
• degenerative discs
• sciatica
When Should You Seek Professional Help?
You should seek professional advice if you experience:
Persistent leg pain when walking
Increasing numbness or weakness in the legs
Pain that limits your ability to walk or stand
Back pain that does not improve with rest
Urgent medical attention is required if you develop:
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Severe weakness in the legs
Numbness around the saddle area
These symptoms may indicate serious nerve compression and require immediate medical assessment.
FAQs
Can Spinal Stenosis heal on its own?
Spinal stenosis can develop for different reasons. In some cases the narrowing is caused mainly by disc bulging or inflammation around the disc, sometimes referred to as “softer” stenosis. These cases may improve over time as the disc settles or with appropriate conservative treatment.
In other cases the narrowing is caused by long-term structural changes, such as bone spurs or thickened ligaments. This type of stenosis does not usually reverse completely, but symptoms can often be managed effectively with treatments aimed at reducing nerve irritation, improving movement and supporting the spine.
Where disc-related narrowing is contributing to symptoms, treatments that aim to reduce pressure within the disc and improve spinal mechanics, such as spinal decompression therapy, may sometimes be considered as part of a conservative treatment approach.
Many people with spinal stenosis are able to improve their symptoms significantly with non-surgical care, exercise and appropriate clinical treatment.
Is spinal stenosis the same as a slipped disc?
Not exactly. A slipped disc involves a bulging or herniated disc, whereas spinal stenosis refers to narrowing of the spinal canal. However, disc problems can contribute to stenosis.What is the fastest way to relieve sciatica?
Why does bending forward feel better?
Leaning forward slightly increases the space within the spinal canal, which can reduce pressure on the nerves.Will I need surgery?
Most people recover without surgery. Surgical treatment is usually considered only if symptoms are severe or persistent.
Do all case require surgery?
No. Many people manage spinal stenosis successfully with non-surgical treatment such as physiotherapy, osteopathy, and structured exercise.
Summary
Spinal stenosis is a common condition where narrowing within the spine compresses nearby nerves, often causing leg pain when walking.
While the condition is usually related to age-related changes in the spine, many people experience significant improvement with conservative treatment.
At Hampshire Spine & Joint Clinic in Andover, we assess spinal conditions carefully and develop personalised treatment plans to help reduce pain and improve mobility.
If you are experiencing persistent back or leg symptoms, a professional assessment can help identify the cause and guide appropriate treatment.
If you would like to discuss whether IDD Therapy might be right for you, we offer a free 30 minute discovery call. Call now on 01264 580280
Typical candidates for IDD Therapy are individuals with back, neck, or leg pain who have tried other treatments without success.
They may be on pain medication, have undergone an MRI scan, and might be considering invasive treatments like injections or, in severe cases, surgery.
MRI Scans and Suitability for IDD Therapy
Before beginning IDD Therapy, it’s important to confirm that treatment is appropriate for your condition. An up-to-date MRI scan is essential, as it allows us to see the underlying cause of your back or neck pain in detail.
We work in partnership with Vista Health, a leading nationwide provider of diagnostic imaging. This means our patients benefit from:
Fast access to MRI scans at convenient UK locations
High-quality imaging that gives us a clear understanding of your spine
Affordable options compared with many hospital-based scans
By teaming up with Vista, we can quickly review your scan results and confirm whether IDD Therapy is the right course of treatment for you. This ensures that your care is safe, appropriate, and based on the best possible information.
If you're experiencing back or neck pain, or symptoms affecting your legs or arms, visit us for a professional assessment to determine the most suitable treatment for you.
Clinic Director Mark Stockwell says:
“Our goal is to get you moving freely again. Certain spinal conditions simply need more than standard hands-on treatment and exercise, having IDD therapy we can help people get back to doing the things they love as part of long term care solution.”
To book a consultation or request a callback: 01264 580280
Book an appointment.
You can book an appointment online or call 01264 580280 if you would like to discuss your condition beforehand.
