Back Pain: Can it be treated with Physical Therapy?

Stenosis is classified based on the percentage of narrowing of the central canal or neural foramen. Mild, moderate, and severe; these classifications are intended to be descriptive. Treatment should be based on you, the patient; your history, your examination, and your quality of life is the basis for making treatment decisions.

The most important relationship you have is the one with yourself (That's right you have a relationship with yourself). Love yourself, keep optimistic and keep moving forward.

Dr. Christina Lasich, MD

Good Morning,

Thank you for the information that no one label about Stenosis applies to every person.

I know about the key relationship with myself, and that is central. The pain makes it hard to stay conscious about staying optimistic and the goal of treating myself gently and with compassion. But on my good days, I do this and it is indeed easier, even if the pain does not go away.

Are there studies about the success rate of whether people with chronic pain are successful in maintaining relationships? Of course each person is different. I just wonder if anyone has looked into that aspect of chronic pain?

Thanks Again,

Paul Levinson

I was talking to my Pain Management doctor about my leg pain that was being caused by my back pain. I asked for some exercises to strengthen my back. He gave me a sheet with 8 simple exercises that take less than 5 minutes to do the first 3. I do them first thing in the morning after rising. I can tell you that the exercise provides better pain relief than any pill I can take. I currently have prescriptions for tramadol and vicodin for another chronic pain condition.

You do not have to do the exercises all day long to get relief, I do my exercises in the morning and sometimes in the evening. I even get relief from bending over and touching my toes.  I get up and walk around every 2 hours so that I do not get stiff. I also take walks during the day. Get a edometer and watch a 100 steps several times a day. I find just walking helps my back pain too.

I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU SEE A PHYSICAL THERAPIST. They can instruct you on what exercises to do to get the best benefit. If you have waited for a long period, it may take a few weeks before you see the maximum benefit.

Good Morning,

Thank you for your reply. The daily exercises are a key piece...although I have not found the employer who will tolerate as many breaks, rests, walks, etc. that are necessary to keep from getting stiff during the day, so the pain is rarely absent, and that has had its effect on my work performance, although of course no employer will say that for fear of legal issues.

In re: your leg pain, may I ask which leg? For the first time, I am having pain that shoots from from upper groin down my right leg. Until this, I've had hip and outer left leg pain, so I am worried about more disc injury.

Are the exercises essentially this set? a) Knees to chest; b) rotate bent knees left side/right side; c) Ankle over knee, pull bottom leg toward chest to stretch glutes; d) each leg straight up and hold 30 secs; e) modified push up for lower back stretch; f) child's pose middle, left and right, each for 30 secs; and h) alternating bended knee, pushing through hip to get hip extension, 3 times, each side, 30 secs each?

That's a great set that I've been using for years, and it does work. The challenge is the working conditions, which is why I finally filed for disability. Pain and stress simply do not complement each other.

I hope it is as beautiful a day where you are as it is here. My best, and thanks again.

Paul L.