Skip to main navigation
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
For
Medicare
For
Providers
For
Brokers
For
Employers
Español
For Individuals & Families:
For Individuals & Families
Medical
Dental
Other Supplemental
Explore coverage through work
How to Buy Health Insurance
Types of Dental Insurance
Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment
See all topics
Shop for Medicare plans
Member Guide
Find a Doctor
Log in to myCigna
Home
Knowledge Center
Wellness Library
Physical Therapy for Spinal Stenosis
Physical Therapy for Spinal Stenosis
Treatment Overview
The purpose of physical therapy is to decrease your pain and help you slowly return to your normal activities. It may reduce pain in the soft tissues, such as your muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It may also improve function and build muscle strength. A physical therapist provides these treatments.
Treatments may include:
- Stretching.
- Strengthening exercise.
- Learning other ways of doing your activities—ways that don't cause pain or make other symptoms worse.
- Other therapies like heat, ice, and massage.
Your therapist also may use other techniques to help relieve your symptoms and keep them from getting worse. These include:
- Changing position often to avoid staying in postures that compress the spine.
- Taking breaks between activities, like walking and yard work, that may strain your back.
- Using proper lifting, pushing, and pulling.
Your doctor or physical therapist will design a program that fits your physical fitness, normal level of activity, and your amount of pain.
Current as of: June 6, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Kenneth J. Koval MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.
© 1995-2023 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Related Links
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Physical Therapy
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Should I Have Surgery?
<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>