Oxford Back Pain from Spinal Stenosis: MRI and Exercise
Beyond the Image: Understanding Your Spine Through Clinical Care
You're in pain and searching for relief—we're here to help.|You're hurting, and you want answers—we get it. Nothing feels more reassuring than seeing an actual image of your spine and pointing to what might be causing your pain.|Seeing an image of your spine and identifying the source of your pain can provide real reassurance. But here's something that might surprise you: what you see on your MRI or X-ray often doesn't match what you're actually feeling. A interesting 2025 study found that people with severe spinal stenosis seen on scans may have no pain, while others with "perfect-looking" spines are in horrible pain. (1) Wild, right? Another recent study captured what many patients feel: "it's hard to trust an individual, it's easier to trust an image." (2) We get that completely. But here's the truth—your chiropractor's hands-on exam, blended with thoughtfully interpreting your imaging, tells your real story. It's not about ignoring those scans; it's about getting the complete picture of what's really going on with your body so we can help you feel better. Let’s talk about both your imaging findings and clinical assessment exam findings to create a thorough treatment plan custom-made specifically to you delivered by your chiropractor at Satterwhite Chiropractic.
Oxford CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH: Try Exercise to Help Decrease Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Pain
Exercise offers proven relief for lumbar spinal stenosis, lowering pain and restoring function through targeted flexibility, strengthening, and aerobic movements. Importantly, stenosis severity does not influence treatment responsiveness, meaning that even patients with advanced stenosis can get meaningful improvements. This evidence supports exercise as a primary conservative treatment, offering a non-invasive approach to contain symptoms and enhance mobility before considering surgical options. (3,4) Let’s see what kind of exercise works best for you at your next visit.
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