Although it typically occurs in people over 50, and more often in women than men, you may experience spinal stenosis if you are younger, especially if you have had a previous back injury. Symptoms might include pain in the legs with walking, weakness or numbness in the extremities or problems with bowel and bladder function. There is no cure for this sometimes painful condition, but the correct exercise program with the right exercise equipment can help keep you moving and decrease your pain.
Identification
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal. This small canal runs through the center of the spinal cord and houses your spinal nerve roots. Usually caused by osteoarthritis associated with the normal wear and tear of aging, stenosis can eventually apply pressure to the nerves. This pinching causes the pain, weakness and other symptoms sometimes associated with spinal stenosis. The pain can make it difficult to walk or stand and sufferers may have to lean on a walker or use a cane to alleviate the discomfort.
Benefits of Exercise Machines
Always check with your physician before beginning any exercise program. Provided your doctor approves, the best back exercise programs include aerobic, strengthening and stretching exercises that improve the flexibility and mobility of your back, according to the website Spine-Health. The wide variety of exercise machines available for purchase or use at your local gym means you can easily incorporate all three components into your exercise routine, regardless of the weather.
Treadmills, elliptical trainers or stationary bikes offer strengthening for the muscles that support your back and aerobic conditioning which helps improve circulation as it increases your cardiovascular fitness. Other machines focus on strengthening and stretching different muscle groups, including your hamstrings, quadriceps and abdominal muscles, which all help keep your back in proper alignment.
Risks of Exercise Machines
High-impact exercise, such as jogging on a treadmill, is usually not recommended for those with significant back problems because of the stress it places on your knees, hips and back. Even walking can prove too stressful if the treadmill surface does not provide enough give. Upright stationary bikes may not provide enough back support for exercisers with spinal stenosis. Using inappropriate form or technique on some machines, such as the leg press or those that require a twisting motion at the waist, can easily strain back muscles.
Considerations
Physical therapists or certified fitness trainers, especially those experienced in back rehabilitation programs, can often help you design a well-rounded fitness program that protects your back as you improve your cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength. These experts can also supervise your workouts for a time to ensure your form and technique are correct. Check with your doctor for a referral to a local therapist or fitness expert.
Warning
Spinal stenosis can compress the nerve roots at the bottom of your spinal canal to the point of paralysis. This rare complication often requires surgery to relieve the pressure on your nerves. Stop your exercise program and see your doctor if you notice severe or abnormal pain after a workout, increasing muscle weakness in your extremities or problems with balance.
