The 3 BEST Exercises for Spinal Stenosis

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In this episode, Farnham's leading over-50's physiotherapist, Will Harlow, demonstrates the 3 best exercises for spinal stenosis pain relief.

These exercises can help spinal stenosis symptoms in both the back and the legs and can bring effective relief.

[dougdraper]

I started having difficulty walking in 2016. I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis in 2020. Over that period I gained a lot of weight. For the last two years I’ve weighed 260 lbs. On top of that I have severe COPD. I finally started working with a Physical Therapist. In 2016 I spent my 62nd birthday in the hospital and died 5 times over 24 hrs. I left the hospital 21 days later with a dual stage pacemaker/ defibrillator. My biggest regret is being a procrastinator. If I could offer any advice I would say don’t wait until tomorrow to do what you can do today.

[uqsbju]

This is so funny to me. I found all of these exercises by myself, because it was what felt like it helped the most. Genuinely happy to get them validated. From my own experience, do these exercises. They all give you massive amounts of relief and overtime it will reduce the pain you have significantly.

[Mike-nysf]

My low back is a mess with degenerate discs, spinal stenosis. Pain going down the leg. Sometimes I was reduced to crawling around the house. Cortisone injections don't work anymore.
But radio frequency ablation has helped immensely--about 80% less pain. Some days I'm actually pain free. And it has enabled me to cut way down on the use of ibuprofen. The procedure lasts me about eight months, and there's no limit to the times you can have it done.
Now I can exercise. Thank you so much for the great videos.

[patriciajump]

First, I do have spinal stenosis, I just found out. This is the best summary I've ever heard of the spine and how the vertebrae, discs, and facet joints work as a team. It didnt ever click for me that the facet joints were the place where the vertbrae actually connected to each other. And what a straightforward concise explanation of the three things that go "wrong" that may lead to spinal stenosis - discs thinning, arthritis in facet joints, and thickenings, which then can compress nerves exiting the spinal column and cause pain. But the exercises: because of bad hips, I can't do the first two. The third one looks like it is bad for spondolysthesis. I am not going to do that twisting. It's what triggered an agonizing long long long bout of sciatica, the kind where you moan and pray out loud for hours at a time, and when its not that bad, it's still very bad. I was helpless, hopeless, trapped, and utterly debilitated, with recovery creeping only slowly, until I got an epidural cortisone injection.

[phyllishoughtonlissy]

4.27 I found these exercises very helpful. and not too difficult to do. I have had numerous operations throùgh Osteo arthritis , from Lamenectomy to fusion's. two operations to put in plate and screws. yes degenerative spine. Now 15 years on at the age of 81 years I am fighting to keep going . yes these exercises will definitely help. No more surgery.

[nelliemay]

THANKS - BEEN SUFFERING AND NOT EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO FOR THIS ...THIS IS GREAT

[LindaYoungman-jr]

I have had spinal stenosis for about 25 year and will be eager to do these exercises I am 77 but feel that I have lots of living to do and so I hope this helps. Thank you so much and God Bless

[FranRogers-tc]

Once again thank you so much, I am closer to 69 and my lower back and leg pain has been gradually increasing since late 40’s. I am very flexible since childhood and now I feel unstable walking and sitting . Laying flat is relief now I will add these 3 into that time.
I am grateful to have found theses videos and saved for use.
Fran

[JohnNiesyn]

Excellent series. Knowledgeable, well informed, careful, and nicely presented. I'm a fan.

[carolneaves]

I've been suffering for a long time. I am a retired Nurse, all the lifting, transferring, for close to 30 years, has made my back, and shoulders very painful. Had X-rays etc., done, 3 years later, finally got to see a surgeon. He mentioned steel rods, i said no surgery. How does 3 year old ex-rays, qualify for a diagnoses? I think your Channel is brilliant.

[lep]

Sitting in a recliner reclined with pillows place against my lower back, Finally released my sciatic nerve and brought back feeling and pain relief to the back of my calf and foot.

[arthurzengeler]

I have this problem, only my symptoms are not the same. I was in a car accident, and then had this happen to me, along with another spinal injury. I was told, that spinal stenosis, was my main problem. Only for me, sitting was something that made it worse. I would try to stand, and walk around as much as possible. Then, after 20 years, I started walking excessively. After 3 months, , my chronic lower back pain went away ! And for some reason or other, the harder the surface I sit on, will determine my level of pain. I'm guessing, because of the car accident I was in, it determined which vertebra was effected. So you need to also determine that, then decide which exercises will help.

[gilpradz]

Thank you for sharing these exercises. It will help ease the pain and discomfort from Spinal Stenosis.

[Kwiattwins]

Thanks Kindly- I have watched 5 videos on this diagnosis and yours is the only one I understand and thankfully I can do your exercises without extreme pain. Very grateful and I will continue doing and can only hope for any improvement.

[elainerittler]

This video was very helpful. Using a model of the spine is a great visual to understand spinal stenosis. The exercises are well explained and are helpful, too. Thank you so much.

[dianapugh]

Unfortunately I've had this for 20 years and i actually walk bent over. When i try to stand up, after 5 to 10 minutes i start shaking, so therefore the only way to stop this is to sit down or touch my toes. This is how i live I've tried everything. I don't allow this to hinder my gardening i just make ajustments when necessary. I also have arthritis in me knees, i am 70 years old, so i have endured all this for 20 years.

[sandyhershman]

Will be trying these out, thank you! My pain doesn't run down my leg but is located in the "butt" cheek.

[deepaksylvanaigum]

I am extremely thankful to you for this great video. I' m 75 and been just diagnosed with spinal stenosis. I go for a brisk walk every evening; the first 25 minutes are painless;however, the next 20 minutes or so are quite painful. I 'll do the exercises advocated by you regularly, so that over a period of time the pain that occurs in my leg diminishes.

[aboren]

Thank you for your videos! They are so helpful to me because there wasn’t much explanation when I was diagnosed. You are changing lives!

[KginVT]

Thank you for this thorough explanation and demonstration. Will do this often.