Assessing Lower Back Spinal Stenosis: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Your Treatment

Spinal Stenosis Is Your Treatment Right Or Wrong: Toronto Downtown Chiropractor

Can You Trust an MRI for Spinal Stenosis? What Your Chiropractor May Not Be Telling You

Are you getting treatment for spinal stenosis based on an MRI or X-ray? It might not be as clear-cut as you think. Surprisingly, many chiropractors, physiotherapists, and even doctors put too much faith in imaging results. But what you see on that scan might not always be the full story.

What’s Stenosis Anyway?

Spinal Stenosis Is Your Treatment Right Or Wrong: Toronto Downtown Chiropractor

Stenosis means “narrowing” of a body part. In the lower back, there are two main types:

  • Lateral Stenosis: Affects the small openings where nerves exit the spinal cord.
  • Spinal Stenosis: Affects the main canal where the entire spinal cord runs.

Why MRIs Can Be Misleading

See Also: Is An MRI, CT scan or X-ray Best For My Pain

Research shows that MRI findings for stenosis often don’t match what your practitioner finds during a physical exam. [1] This means you could be diagnosed without really having it, or vice versa!

Should I Trust the Scan or My Practitioner?

Your chiropractor or physiotherapist should always combine imaging results with their assessment. However, even then, there are no guarantees. Here’s what to look out for:

  • Clear Goals: Your practitioner sets specific targets for your possible stenosis.
  • Change if Needed: If treatment isn’t helping within 3-4 weeks, they will explore other potential causes.

What Actually Works for Spinal Stenosis?

  • Therapeutic Exercise: Can provide significant relief.
  • Epidural Steroid Injections: May offer lasting benefits for up to 3 years. [3]
  • Surgery: The most common option for severe cases, and often successful.


Feel free to share your questions, thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook for more updates and tips on improving your health. We’d love to hear your opinions on who you consider the best Toronto chiropractor.

 Research

1.  Haig AJ et al, Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 2006; 87: 897-903.

2. Simotas AC, Dorey FJ, Hansraj KK, Cammisa F Jr. Nonoperative treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis. Clinical and outcome results and a 3-year survivorship analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). Jan 15 2000;25(2):197-203; discussions 203-4. [Medline].

3. Nonoperative treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis. Clinical and outcome results and a 3-year survivorship analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976).  2000; 25(2):197-203; discussions 203-4 (ISSN: 0362-2436)

Leave a Reply

  • Hi Dr. Ken, I’ve been told through a CT scan that I have: a broadbased disc bulging with mild retrolisthesis in L1/2 and with a mild canal stenosis, will light excerises help me or not. Also had lumbar fusion 2 years ago, have degenerative diesease, no cartilage between the joints, can someone like you help me and if so, who do you recommend for me to see someone in Melbourne, I live in Reservoir and also is there a cure for what I have! I sincerely thank you for taking the time to reply to my queries.

    • Post
      Author

      Thanks for your questions Josie. While you have a lot going in your MRI including the previous fusion surgery, you have to remember a fact. Most people have a lot going on in their MRI with no symptoms at all. http://www.bodiempowerment.com/mri-ct-scan-x-rays/
      Basically, in this article, I talk about the fact that most MRI results are not clinically relevant. In other words, they are not causing any symptoms. While you may have mild canal stenosis, it is very unlikely to be causing you pain. Now if I examined you I may change my mind and find that is the reason for your pain but until an examination and history correlate to your actual symptoms then that is the only time you will attribute MRI findings to pain. The problem is that in the world of MRI many health practitioners will diagnosis by MRI and not the other way around. This is an opinion and not a recommendation.

      Hope that helps your spinal stenosis.

  • HI There. I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis. lumbar herniated disc, i keep getting several slipped disc, and scoliosis. I the cortozone shots use to work, but now they don’t, this doctor in dunville ont. said there is no cure, and that it is too late for any surgery, i am in and out of wheel chairs and can no longer live like this, there must be something that can be done. thankyou colleen dawson

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img 9195 4 depositphotos bgremover
Dr. Ken is an award-winning chiropractor in downtown Toronto, serving a diverse clientele. He is an avid athlete, representing Ontario in the Canadian Judo Championships, and has completed the Toronto Marathon twice. Dr. Ken specializes in in treating his patients using the C3 Program.