Spinal stenosis is a back condition that may cause difficulty walking. Exercises, stretches, and lifestyle changes may improve lower back strength and posture to better manage the condition.

Spinal stenosis is a condition that may cause discomfort in your lower extremities, which could affect walking.

Your spine is made up of 33 interlocking bones called vertebrae. The cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral bones have an opening called a foramen. The foramina line up to form the protective spinal canal that surrounds your spinal cord.

“Stenosis” is the Greek word for narrowing.

If you have spinal stenosis, parts of your spinal canal have narrowed and are putting pressure on your spinal nerves.

Spinal stenosis can occur anywhere on your spine, but the most common locations are the neck and the lower back, also known as the lumbar region.

The lumbar region of your spine is where your spinal cord ends in a collection of nerves that look like a horse’s tail called the cauda equina. These nerves send and receive messages to and from your pelvic area and legs.

Stenosis of your spinal canal interrupts these messages. As a result, lumbar spinal stenosis can cause walking problems.

Keep reading to learn more about how spinal stenosis may affect walking and how to manage the condition.

When to get medical attention

It’s important to speak with a doctor right away if you have severe pain and difficulty standing up.

You may have developed cauda equina syndrome, which puts stronger pressure on the nerves at the bottom of your spinal cord. If left untreated, this syndrome can cause permanent nerve damage.

Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome may include:

  • disturbance or loss of bladder or bowel function
  • numbness in the back of legs, your inner thighs, genital area, or anal region
  • severe pain or weakness in your legs that makes it difficult to stand up

If you have lumbar spinal stenosis, you may notice symptoms while walking or standing.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, these may include:

You may feel relief from these symptoms when you lean forward, sit, or crouch, or while riding a bike or pushing a shopping cart. This is because a forward-leaning position opens the spinal canal and reduces pressure on the nerves.

Walking may be a good exercise for spinal stenosis because it’s low impact and you manage the pace and distance.

However, many people find walking triggers or worsens existing spinal stenosis symptoms. If this happens, try a different type of exercise, such as cycling, yoga, or water-based activities.

If you’re able to walk without symptoms, incorporate this activity into your routine. Some ways to walk more include:

  • taking out the family dog
  • parking a few blocks away from your destination
  • doing short errands on foot

A healthcare professional or physical therapist could also help develop an exercise regimen to reduce symptoms by improving your strength, balance, and range of motion.

Spinal stenosis in your lumbar region can affect your feet and legs, causing:

Physical therapy is usually a first-line treatment option for spinal stenosis.

The goal of physical therapy for spinal stenosis is to:

  • strengthen muscles in your core and legs
  • improve your mobility
  • maintain your ability to perform day-to-day activities

A physical therapist can help you with:

  • stretching recommendations
  • learning how to keep your back safe
  • maintaining proper use of assistive devices like a back brace, cane, or walker
  • using correct posture and body mechanics
  • providing advice about shoe inserts and splints
  • using hot and cold therapy
  • recommending suggestions for modifications to your home environment, such as ergonomics and cushions

Before you start any treatment plan, discuss it with a doctor first to make sure it’s an appropriate option for you to try.

Several lifestyle and dietary habits, natural remedies, and over-the-counter (OTC) remedies could help you manage spinal stenosis and improve your overall spine health.

These may include:

Some alternative remedies, such as spinal manipulation and acupuncture, may also help relieve spinal stenosis pain.

If these management methods do not help improve walking and pain, a doctor may recommend more invasive therapies, such as:

Learn more about how to treat spinal stenosis.

Does walking make spinal stenosis worse?

In many cases, people with spinal stenosis find that walking uphill, up a flight of stairs, or up an incline may worsen their spinal stenosis symptoms. However, walking may be good for spinal stenosis if it does not cause pain.

Does spinal stenosis make your legs weak?

If left untreated, spinal stenosis may lead to weakness, numbness, and loss of control in your legs.

What is the final stage of spinal stenosis?

Over time, people with spinal stenosis may require using assistive devices like a cane, walker, and potentially a wheelchair.

What is the best thing to do for spinal stenosis?

The best treatment for spinal stenosis will depend on several factors, such as your symptoms and mobility. Some treatment options include physical therapy, taking OTC medications, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgery. Spine surgery, in which the canal is decompressed, is typically successful in helping spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis is a condition that may cause weakness, numbness, and loss of control in your lower extremities. This could make walking more difficult.

If you have difficulty walking with spinal stenosis, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional. They could help develop a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms. This may include a combination of lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and medications.