Cycling. It is fun. It is relaxing. It’s a sport (most!) anyone can enjoy. It’s a way to get relief from spinal stenosis related back pain. New Hampshire Spine and Sport is glad to share an enjoyable exercise option with Southern New Hampshire chiropractic back pain patients for added Southern New Hampshire back pain relief.
WHAT IS LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS
Lumbar spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal area in the low back. Such narrowing stems from spinal conditions like degenerative disc disease and disc herniation. Many older Southern New Hampshire back pain sufferers experience lumbar spinal stenosis. As we get older, our discs lose nutrition and height - more so for some of us than others - which leads to that narrowing. Going to the grocery store comes to be a joy just to lean forward over the grocery cart as it feels good! Why? Leaning forward flexes the spine and opens the spinal canal space thereby reducing Southern New Hampshire back pain.
WHY CYCLING
Researchers find that flexion-based training like cycling efficiently reduced back and enhanced function and quality of life in older people with chronic low back pain. (1) Just getting oxygen flowing is a good thing to improve anyone’s attitude!
HOW CYCLING HELPS RELIEVE Southern New Hampshire BACK PAIN FROM LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS
For older patients with lumbar spinal stenosis pain that has persisted for years, an improved quality of life is welcome! In one study of the effect of cycling on back pain in older patients with spinal stenosis, patients were 70.9 years of age. Some were uneasy of cycling due to fear of pain and fatigue, thinking the bike was too large, believing they did not have time to cycle, and not really wanting to participate in cycling. (Sound familiar? We can all be like that sometimes! Southern New Hampshire folks just have to schedule time to exercise regardless of our age!) Those who got over those concerns and cycled were pleased with their clinical improvement (reduced leg pain and disability) and found that the bicycle was simple. (1) You never know until you try! New Hampshire Spine and Sport supports our Southern New Hampshire chiropractic patients to try new things to assist with their Southern New Hampshire back pain relief.
CYCLING HELPS AVOID BACK SURGERY
Something new that many Southern New Hampshire chiropractic patients do not fancy trying is back surgery. When the pain is really uncomfortable, a back surgery may appear like an answer. In a study done at a spine surgery center, patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and low back pain undergo a 4 months’ training program riding a stationary bicycle. They cycle at about 70% of maximal capacity. Almost 50% of the patients improved so much that they did not need spinal surgery. (2) Now that is a benefit Southern New Hampshire lumbar spinal stenosis patients want!
CONTACT New Hampshire Spine and Sport
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Kurt Olding talking about a patient with lumbar spinal stenosis relieved with Cox Technic spinal manipulation on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson.