Toronto 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 indicating what might be causing your pain. But here's something that might surprise you: what you see on your MRI or X-ray often doesn't match what you're actually feeling. A groundbreaking 2025 study found that people with severe spinal stenosis seen on scans sometimes have no pain, while others with "perfect-looking" spines are in horrible pain. (1) Weird, right? Another new study described what many patients feel: "it's hard to trust an individual, it's easier to trust an image." (2) We understand that completely. But here's the truth—your chiropractor's hands-on exam, combined with thoughtfully interpreting your imaging, tells your real story. We're not dismissing your scans—we're looking at the complete picture of what's happening in your body to find the best path to relief. Let’s discuss both your imaging findings and clinical assessment exam findings to create a complete treatment plan custom-made specifically to you delivered by your chiropractor at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre.
Toronto CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH: Try Exercise to Help Reduce Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Pain
Exercise offers proven relief for lumbar spinal stenosis, reducing pain and restoring function through targeted flexibility, strengthening, and aerobic movements. Importantly, stenosis severity does not affect treatment responsiveness, meaning that even patients with advanced stenosis can get meaningful improvements. This evidence supports exercise as a primary conservative treatment, offering a non-invasive approach to contain symptoms and enhance mobility before considering surgical options. (3,4) Let’s chat at your next chiropractic appointment about the optimal exercise for you.
CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre