Spinal Stenosis

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Relief for nerve compression, leg pain & mobility loss — without surgery

Decompression Suite Decompression Suite

What Is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis occurs when spaces in the spine become narrowed, placing pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. This narrowing can happen in the central canal, the lateral recess, or the foramina (where nerves exit the spine).

It most commonly affects the lumbar spine (lower back), but can also occur in the cervical spine (neck).

Stenosis often develops gradually over time due to disc degeneration, arthritis, thickening of spinal ligaments, or previous spinal injury.

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Common Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

Symptoms vary depending on the region affected.

Lumbar (Lower Back) Stenosis

  • Check Pain or heaviness in the legs (neurogenic claudication)
  • Check Numbness, tingling, or burning in the legs or feet
  • Check Pain that worsens with standing or walking
  • Check Relief when sitting, bending forward or leaning over a shopping trolley
  • Check Back stiffness
  • Check Weakness in legs

Cervical (Neck) Stenosis

  • Check Neck pain or stiffness
  • Check Radiating arm pain
  • Check Numbness or weakness in arms or hands
  • Check Balance difficulties
  • Check In severe cases: loss of fine motor control
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What Causes Spinal Stenosis?

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Degenerative Disc Disease

Discs lose height and hydration, narrowing space around nerves.

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Arthritic Changes / Bone Spurs

Facet joints can enlarge and form bone spurs that crowd the nerve openings.

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Thickening of Ligaments

Especially the ligamentum flavum, which can buckle inward and compress nerves.

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Bulging or Herniated Discs

Discs protruding backwards reduce canal space.

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Spondylolisthesis

One vertebra slipping forward over another compresses the spinal canal.

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Congenital Narrow Canal

Some people are born with naturally smaller spinal canals.

Why Symptoms Improve When You Lean Forward

In lumbar stenosis, flexing forward opens the spinal canal and reduces pressure on nerves — which is why many patients walk while leaning over a trolley.

Spinal decompression therapy uses this same biomechanical principle in a controlled, targeted way.

How Spinal Decompression May Help Spinal Stenosis

Spinal decompression therapy for spinal stenosis

Spinal decompression uses computer-controlled traction to gently distract targeted vertebrae.

  • Check reduced nerve compression
  • Check improved walking tolerance
  • Check reduced lumbar disc pressure
  • Check increased disc height
  • Check improved function in older adults
  • Check delayed or avoided surgery in many cases

Mechanically, decompression therapy may:

  • Check create gentle separation between vertebrae
  • Check increase space around nerve roots
  • Check reduce pressure in the spinal canal and foramina
  • Check improve blood flow to irritated nerves
  • Check reduce inflammation
  • Check improve mobility in degenerative discs

Who Is a Good Candidate for Spinal Stenosis Decompression?

You may be suitable if you have:

  • Check confirmed lumbar or cervical stenosis
  • Check leg pain, heaviness, or numbness
  • Check walking or standing intolerance
  • Check pain relieved by sitting or bending
  • Check degenerative disc disease
  • Check arthritis-related narrowing
  • Check wished to avoid injections or surgery

You may not be suitable if you have:

  • Check spinal instability
  • Check severe osteoporosis
  • Check spinal fracture
  • Check metastatic disease
  • Check spinal infection

(We screen every patient carefully to determine candidacy.)

What to Expect at Your First Visit

1. Comprehensive Spine Assessment

  • • neurological testing
  • • muscle strength
  • • reflexes
  • • balance and gait
  • • imaging review (X-ray / MRI)

2. Functional Testing

To determine how much nerve compression is affecting movement and endurance.

3. Personalised Treatment Plan

May include:

  • • decompression therapy
  • • gentle chiropractic care
  • • mobility exercises
  • • core stabilisation
  • • postural coaching

How Many Sessions Are Recommended?

Most stenosis cases benefit from:

  • Check 2–3 sessions per week
  • Check 6–10 weeks total

Results are gradual, as nerve irritation and degenerative changes require consistent unloading.

Frequently Asked Questions (SEO)

Yes. Many patients manage symptoms successfully with decompression and rehab.

No. Most patients find it comfortable and relaxing.

The structural narrowing remains, but symptoms can be significantly improved and managed long-term.

Yes — studies show strong outcomes even in patients aged 60+.

Often, yes. Many patients can walk longer and stand more comfortably.

Book a Spinal Stenosis Assessment

If standing, walking or daily movement is becoming difficult, you may be a candidate for non-surgical decompression.

→ Book Your 40-Minute Decompression Assessment Today

(Assessment + report + first session if indicated)

Complete Chiropractic

As the leading chiropractic clinic in Sydney's Northern Beaches, our chiropractors have an extensive range of experience across multiple treatment modalities.

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Ph: (02) 9972 0040

ABN: 73 657 776 022

1/32 Fisher Rd,
Dee Why NSW 2099

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