Manchester Back Pain from Spinal Stenosis: MRI and Exercise

Beyond the Image: Understanding Your Spine Through Clinical Care

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 triggering your pain. But here's something that might surprise you: what shows up on your MRI or X-ray often does not match what you're really feeling. A novel 2025 study found that people with severe spinal stenosis visible on scans may have no pain, while others with "perfect-looking" spines are in horrible pain. (1) Weird, right? Another recent study described what many patients feel: "it's hard to trust an individual, it's easier to trust an image." (2) We get that completely. But the reality for many—your chiropractor's hands-on exam, mixed with carefully interpreting your imaging, tells your real story. It's not about dismissing 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 discuss both your imaging findings and clinical assessment exam findings to develop a thorough treatment plan custom-made just to you delivered by your chiropractor at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries.

Manchester CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH: Try Exercise to Help Decrease Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Pain

Exercise offers proven relief for lumbar spinal stenosis, reducing pain and returning function through targeted flexibility, strengthening, and aerobic activities. Importantly, stenosis severity does not influence treatment responsiveness, meaning that even patients with advanced stenosis can achieve meaningful improvements. This evidence promotes exercise as a primary conservative treatment, proposing a non-invasive approach to manage symptoms and improve mobility before considering surgical options. (3,4) Let’s chat at your next chiropractic appointment about the best exercise for you.

CONTACT Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries

We kook forward to seeing you at your next Manchester chiropractic visit!