New Research from Amelia Chiropractic Clinic: 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? Two new research papers published in 2026 offer genuine peace of mind, and they're well worth discussing with your doctor of chiropractic at Amelia Chiropractic Clinic as you plan your recovery.
YES, YOU CAN EXERCISE WITH SEVERE STENOSIS
Published in Physical Therapy, a large retrospective study of 1,806 patients with mild, moderate, and severe lumbar spinal stenosis tracked outcomes from an exercise-based rehabilitation program, and the findings challenge a common assumption. (1) Investigators reported that participants improved significantly in pain, function, strength, disability, and medication use — and researchers found no meaningful difference in how well people responded to exercise based on how severe their stenosis looked on imaging, with over 11% of participants able to discontinue narcotic pain medication entirely. In plain terms: even a "severe" stenosis diagnosis doesn't rule out benefiting from exercise.
DISC PROTRUSION PATIENTS SEE REAL GAINS FROM STABILIZATION EXERCISE
A randomized clinical trial published in the journal Health Science Reports followed a group of 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. Both groups improved in pain, disability, and lumbar range of motion, but the stabilization group improved significantly more — and imaging confirmed better performance in the deep abdominal muscles and multifidus that help support the low back. Just as reassuring: across eight weeks of supervised exercise, not a single participant had a worsening of symptoms or a treatment-related injury, only a bit of early, temporary muscle soreness. (2)
TALK TO US AT YOUR NEXT VISIT
These findings don't mean every exercise is right for every spine, and the appropriate routine is tailored to your own imaging, symptoms, and goals — so before starting or changing an exercise routine, talk with your doctor of chiropractic at Amelia Chiropractic Clinic in Fernandina Beach, 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 describes the benefit of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for spinal stenosis.
