Will Walking Make Chronic Knee Pain Worse?
Walking might be the last thing on your mind if you have chronic knee pain. Many people wonder if walking makes the pain worse — but does it? Read on to learn if walking will make chronic knee pain worse.
4 Subtle Signs of Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition where the spaces within your spine narrow, and your nerves can become compressed as they narrow.
Spinal stenosis can develop in the neck (cervical spinal stenosis) or the lower back (lumbar spinal stenosis). Regardless of the type, it can develop gradually, and early symptoms are often mistaken for normal aging or minor aches.
Below, the International Spine, Pain & Performance Center team shares four subtle signs of spinal stenosis and how we can help you find relief.
1. Intermittent pain and weakness in your limbs
Believe it or not, your first signs of spinal stenosis might appear in your limbs — not your back or neck.
If you have lumbar spinal stenosis, you may notice mild pain, numbness, or weakness in your legs, especially after standing or walking for long periods. This discomfort often improves when you sit or lean forward. This position helps because it temporarily relieves nerve pressure.
If you have cervical spinal stenosis, you may notice pain, numbness, or weakness in your arms and hands. A C6-7 disc herniation in your neck can contribute to spinal stenosis by narrowing the spinal canal and compressing nearby nerves, which can lead to wrist drop. This means that you may find it difficult to extend your wrist. You might also experience numbness or tingling in your index and middle fingers.
2. Balance and coordination issues
Spinal stenosis can affect the nerves responsible for muscle control, making everyday movements challenging. It can even affect balance.
If you feel unsteady on your feet, frequently trip, or struggle with coordination, it could be due to nerve compression in your lower spine.
Spinal stenosis isn’t the only condition that can affect balance, so it’s important not to brush this off. Balance disorders and neurological conditions can also contribute to balance issues, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible.
3. Tingling or numbness that comes and goes
A subtle tingling sensation in your back, arms, or legs might seem harmless initially, but if it becomes frequent or persistent, it could indicate spinal nerve compression. This numbness may worsen with activity and improve with rest.
4. Lower back stiffness especially when you first wake up
People with spinal stenosis often experience stiffness in the lower back after long periods of rest or upon waking up. As the condition progresses, this stiffness may last longer and be accompanied by dull, persistent pain that limits mobility.
What to do if you spot these signs of spinal stenosis
If you think you have spinal stenosis, schedule an appointment with your International Spine, Pain & Performance Center provider to evaluate your symptoms and possibly order imaging tests like an MRI or X-ray. In the meantime, try gentle stretching, low-impact exercises, and good posture to help relieve pressure on your spine.
Our team reviews your symptoms to diagnose spinal stenosis, takes your medical history, and orders imaging studies. If spinal stenosis is the source of your symptoms, we can customize a treatment plan.
Depending on the severity, treatment options may include physical therapy, medication, steroid injections, interventional pain management, or in some cases, surgery to reduce nerve compression.
Call the location of your choice — Washington, D.C., or Arlington, Virginia — or click here to book your appointment online.
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