New Research from Connected Chiropractic: Exercise Helps Spinal Stenosis Patients, Regardless of Severity
If you've been told you have spinal stenosis or a disc protrusion, it's natural to feel wary of exercise — could exercise actually cause more damage? Two new research papers published in early 2026 offer genuine peace of mind, and they're definitely worth sharing with your doctor of chiropractic at Connected Chiropractic as you plan your recovery.
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 widespread assumption. (1) Investigators reported that patients improved significantly in pain, function, strength, disability, and medication use — and there was no meaningful difference in how well people responded to exercise based on how severe their stenosis looked on imaging, with more than 1 in 10 participants able to discontinue narcotic pain medication entirely. In simple terms: a "severe" scan does not mean exercise won't help you.
FOR DISC PROTRUSION, TARGETED STABILIZATION WORK PAYS OFF
A randomized clinical trial published in Health Science Reports followed 60 patients with a unilateral lumbar disc protrusion for eight weeks, comparing routine physiotherapy by itself to routine physiotherapy plus supervised stabilization exercises targeting the deep trunk muscles. While both groups got better across pain, disability, and range of motion, the stabilization group's improvement was significantly larger — and imaging confirmed stronger performance in the deep abdominal and multifidus muscles that help keep the low back supported. Just as reassuring: across eight weeks of supervised exercise, no participant experienced a symptom flare-up or a injury tied to the program, only some mild, short-lived muscle soreness early on. (2)
ASK US ABOUT YOUR EXERCISE PLAN
These findings don't mean every exercise is right for every spine, and the correct exercise plan is tailored to your own imaging, symptoms, and goals — so before beginning or adjusting any exercise program, talk with your doctor of chiropractic at Connected Chiropractic in Elgin, who can help you approach relief with confidence rather than 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.
