The lumbar spine is the lower part of the backbone between the bottom of the rib cage and the hip area. Any damage or injury to the spine may cause unpleasant symptoms and physical limitations. If you've been diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis, talk to your doctor about an exercise program that will help you maintain range of motion, flexibility and a high quality of life. Symptoms of stenosis may come and go depending on the severity of your condition. During flare-ups, use caution when you exercise.
Definition
Lumbar spinal stenosis describes a condition that affects the lower region of the spine. Stenosis is a medical term meaning narrowing. In the case of lumbar spinal stenosis, the term defines a narrowing of the spinal column, which in turn creates pressure against or compression of spinal nerves in the lower back. If you've been diagnosed with this condition, the nerves in the lower spine just above the hips have become compressed, which may produce symptoms of weakness, tingling, sharp and stabbing pain, limited range of motion and decreased flexibility.
Hyperextension
Avoid exercises that require you to bend backwards or hyperextend your back. Forward-bending exercises and stretches will be more comfortable for you. Upward arching of your back, especially while you lie down on your stomach, may cause pain and increase pressure or squeezing of spinal nerves in the lower back region.
Walking
Walking may exacerbate pain and temporarily worsen your condition during flare-ups, so you have to determine when certain types of exercise are not possible. Walking may be difficult during a flare-up or for those with severe bone or vertebrae damage, or pinched nerves. During painful episodes, avoid weight bearing exercises that place the weight of your upper torso on the base of the spine.
Twisting
Twisting the torso may cause severe pain. Avoid exercises, at least during flare-ups, that involve twisting of the upper torso while the lower torso remains stable.
High-Impact Aerobics
High-impact exercise such as jogging, kickboxing and tennis may jar or further compress the base of the spine, causing increased pain and associated symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis. Doctors recommend low-impact or slow-moving exercises that help maintain function, mobility and flexibility of the spine.
Pain
If you feel pain in the lower spine region while exercising, adapt your exercise for more comfort or stop. While exercise is good for healing and preventing weakness and loss of function in injured joints, you don't want to push that area too hard and risk further injury. You're the judge of how you feel. Some people can perform certain activities with lumbar spinal stenosis while others can't, which may also depend on overall physical condition, age and pain tolerance.
