Canal Stenosis Treatments: From Physical Therapy to Minimally Invasive Surgery

If you have canal stenosis, you're probably dealing with pain, numbness, or weakness that makes everyday activities difficult. Maybe walking to the mailbox leaves your legs aching, or your hands feel clumsy when you're trying to button a shirt.

Canal stenosis happens when the main tunnel in your spine (called the spinal canal) gets narrower. This squeezes the spinal cord or nerves inside, causing your symptoms.

The good news? You have options. This guide walks you through treatments from the simplest to the most advanced, so you can understand what might work for your situation.

The Basics

Think of your spine as a stack of bones (vertebrae) with a tunnel running through the middle. Your spinal cord sits inside this tunnel, protected and safe. Canal stenosis means this tunnel is getting too tight.

When to Start Here

If your stenosis is mild to moderate and you've only had symptoms for a few months, start with these approaches. They work for many people.

Physical Therapy (PT)

A physical therapist teaches you exercises that help your spine work better.

What PT Does:

• Strengthens muscles that support your spine
• Stretches tight areas
• Teaches you how to move in ways that don't hurt
• Opens up space in the canal

Simple Exercises That Help: 

1. Bending forward exercises
   1. Pelvic tilts while lying down
   2. Gentle cat-cow stretches on hands and knees
   3. Pulling your knees to your chest
   4. These help open up the canal space
2. Strengthening your core
   1. Tightening your deep belly muscles
   2. Modified planks (on knees if needed)
   3. Gentle movements that work your stomach and back together
3. Better posture
   1. Learning to sit and stand with less strain
   2. Setting up your desk so you're not hunched over
   3. Taking breaks to change position

Give It Time: Try physical therapy for 6-12 weeks before deciding if it's working. You should notice less pain and be able to do more activities.

Changing Your Activities

Small adjustments can make a big difference:

• Lean forward when symptoms act up (this opens the canal)
• Use a cane or walker if you need balance help
• Take frequent breaks during activities
• Avoid standing in one place for long periods

Medications

Over-the-Counter:

• Ibuprofen or naproxen (Aleve) for inflammation
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain
• These help symptoms but don't fix the narrowing

Prescription Options:

• Muscle relaxers if you have spasms
• Nerve pain medication (like gabapentin) for tingling and numbness
• Short-term steroids for bad flare-ups

Important: Pain pills only mask the problem. They will not widen your canal.

Learn more about spinal stenosis by watching the video below:

Epidural Steroid Injections

If therapy and medication aren't enough, your doctor might suggest an injection.

How It Works: A doctor uses an X-ray machine to guide a needle to the exact spot where nerves are compressed. They inject medicine that reduces swelling around the nerves.

What to Expect:

• The procedure takes 15-30 minutes
• You go home the same day
• Relief usually lasts 3-6 months
• About half to two-thirds of people get temporary relief

The Reality: Injections are a Band-Aid, not a cure. They can give you a break from pain and help you do physical therapy more effectively. But the stenosis is still there.

Limits:

• You can only have 3-4 per year
• They work less well each time
• Won't help if stenosis is severe

Time to Consider Surgery If:

• Still hurting after 3-6 months of therapy and medication
• Getting weaker in your arms or legs
• Can't do normal daily activities
• Injections barely help or only last a few weeks
• Pain wakes you up at night
• Can't walk without significant discomfort

Deuk Laser Disc Repair^® (DLDR)

When a herniated disc is squeezing your spinal canal, this procedure removes the problem disc material through a tiny opening.

Watch to Understand How DLDR^® Relieves Discogenic Neck Pain

How It's Different:

Instead of cutting through your back muscles and removing bone, DLDR^® works through a small tube. A laser removes only the disc material that's causing trouble.

Step by Step:

1. Tiny incision (smaller than a dime)
2. A tube gently spreads muscle apart (no cutting)
3. A camera shows the surgeon exactly what needs to be removed
4. Laser precisely removes the herniated disc material
5. No Metal. No Fusion. No Hospital.

Why This Approach Works Better:

• Your spine keeps its natural motion
• No screws or rods left inside you
• Done in a surgery center—you go home the same day
• Walking within an hour
• No need for strong pain pills after
• Tiny scar

The Track Record:

• 95 out of 100 patients get rid of their disc pain
• Zero infections in over 15 years
• Zero serious complications
• Over 2,000 successful procedures
• Published results in medical journals

Who This Helps

DLDR^® works well if:

• Your MRI shows a herniated disc narrowing the canal
• You've tried therapy and it didn't solve the problem
• You want to avoid fusion
• You want to get back to activities quickly
• You want to keep your spine moving naturally

Recovery Timeline

Right After Surgery:

• You'll walk within an hour
• Most patients say "I can't believe I just had surgery"
• Go home the same day
• Someone should stay with you the first night

First Two Weeks:

• Slowly increase walking and light activities
• No lifting anything heavy (over 20 pounds)
• Many people return to desk jobs

Week 2-6:

• Keep increasing what you do
• May start physical therapy
• Avoid running, jumping, heavy lifting

After 6 Weeks:

• Back to all normal activities
• No permanent restrictions
• Your spine moves naturally for life

Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy® (DPR)

If arthritic joints (not discs) are narrowing your canal, this procedure treats the nerves causing pain. Like DLDR^®, DPR^® is minimally invasive, outpatient, and requires no hardware or strong pain medication. 

Understand How DPR Treats Facetogenic Back Pain

Physical Therapy:

• Good for: Mild stenosis
• Works for: 3-5 out of 10 people long-term
• Downside: Doesn't fix the narrowing

Injections:

• Good for: Temporary relief
• Works for: 5-7 out of 10 people for a few months
• Downside: Not a permanent fix

Traditional Fusion:

• Recovery: 3-6 months
• Problems: 5-50 patients out of 100 have complications
• Downside: Lose spine movement, big surgery

Deuk Laser Disc Repair^®:

• Recovery: 4-6 weeks
• Success: 95 out of 100 patients
• Problems: Zero complications in 15+ years
• Benefit: Keep your natural spine movement

Free MRI Review

Already have an MRI? Send it to Deuk Spine Institute for a free review.

You'll Learn:

• Exactly what's causing your pain
• Whether you need fusion (most people don't)
• If Deuk Laser Disc Repair^® could help you
• All your options explained in plain English

Expert Care:

• Dr. Ara Deukmedjian is a board-certified brain and spine surgeon
• He invented these procedures
• Over 2,000 successful surgeries
• Never had an infection in the surgery center
• Top of his medical school class

Better Technology:

• Dr. Deuk holds 5 patents on spine treatments
• Uses the most advanced equipment
• These techniques aren't available anywhere else

Patient-First Approach:

• We do what's best for you, not what makes more money
• One surgeon handles your entire care
• 99.6 out of 100 patients are satisfied
• Trusted by patients all over the world