Spinal Stenosis: Causes, Treatments, and Medications That Help
When the space around your spinal cord tightens, it squeezes the nerves that run through it—that’s spinal stenosis, a condition where the spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the back, legs, or arms. Also known as narrowed spine, it’s not a disease but a structural change that often comes with aging, injury, or long-term wear and tear.
Spinal stenosis doesn’t happen overnight. It usually builds up over years, especially if you’ve had arthritis, herniated discs, or thickened ligaments. The most common type affects the lower back—lumbar spinal stenosis, a narrowing in the lower spine that presses on nerves leading to the legs. This is why many people with it feel pain or cramping when walking, which gets better when they sit or lean forward. Another form, cervical spinal stenosis, affects the neck and can cause tingling, weakness, or even trouble with balance. Both types can be managed, but they need the right approach.
What you take for pain matters. Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen help with inflammation, but they’re not a long-term fix. Doctors often turn to epidural injections, steroid shots delivered near the affected nerves to reduce swelling and give relief for weeks or months. For nerve pain, medications like gabapentin or pregabalin are common—they don’t cure the narrowing, but they calm the misfiring signals. Some people benefit from physical therapy to strengthen muscles around the spine and improve posture. In serious cases, surgery opens up the space, but most people avoid it by sticking with conservative care.
You’ll find posts here that break down how insurance handles pain meds, why some drugs work better than others, and how to track side effects so you don’t end up with more problems than you started with. There’s also info on how generic versions of common spinal pain drugs compare to brand names, and how to talk to your doctor about switching treatments without losing control of your symptoms. This isn’t just about pain relief—it’s about staying active, avoiding unnecessary drugs, and knowing what options actually work for your body.
Spinal Stenosis and Neurogenic Claudication: What It Feels Like and How to Treat It
Posted by Ellison Greystone on Nov, 23 2025
Neurogenic claudication is leg pain caused by spinal stenosis, not poor circulation. Learn how to recognize the symptoms, why bending forward helps, and what treatments actually work-from physical therapy to surgery.