New Research from Aurora Chiropractic Center: Exercise Helps Spinal Stenosis Patients, Regardless of Severity
Hearing a diagnosis of spinal stenosis or a disc protrusion often makes exercise feel intimidating — won't moving the wrong way make things worse? A pair of studies published in early 2026 offer solid, evidence-based reassurance, and they're well worth sharing with your treating chiropractor at Aurora Chiropractic Center as you work toward feeling better.
YES, YOU CAN EXERCISE WITH SEVERE STENOSIS
A large retrospective study of 1,806 patients published in Physical Therapy looked at people with mild, moderate, and severe lumbar spinal stenosis who completed an exercise-based rehabilitation program, and the results push back on a common assumption. (1) The study found that patients improved significantly in pain levels, functional disability, strength, and medication use — and there was no meaningful difference in how well people responded to exercise based on how severe the stenosis appeared radiographically, with over 11% of participants able to stop using narcotic pain medication altogether. In other words: a "severe" scan does not mean exercise won't help you.
DISC PROTRUSION PATIENTS SEE REAL GAINS FROM STABILIZATION EXERCISE
A randomized controlled trial published in the journal Health Science Reports followed 60 patients with a unilateral lumbar disc protrusion for eight weeks, comparing routine physiotherapy by itself to standard physiotherapy paired with supervised stabilization exercises targeting the deep stabilizing muscles of the trunk. Pain, disability, and lumbar range of motion improved in both groups, though the stabilization group saw significantly greater gains — and ultrasound imaging showed stronger performance in the deep abdominal and multifidus muscles that help stabilize the lower spine. Just as promising: across the eight-week trial of supervised exercise, no participant experienced a decline in symptoms or a injury tied to the program, only mild soreness in the first weeks that resolved on its own. (2)
ASK US ABOUT YOUR EXERCISE PLAN
Neither study is a green light for jumping into just any workout, and the correct exercise plan is specific to your imaging, your symptoms, and your goals — so before beginning or adjusting any exercise program, talk with your doctor of chiropractic at Aurora Chiropractic Center in Juneau, who can help you move toward relief with confidence instead of fear.
Check out this podcast with Dr. Kurt Olding on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares the benefit of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for spinal stenosis.
