Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis can be complex. We help you find relief.
Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the space around your spinal cord and nerves, is a common cause of back and leg pain, especially with age. But when the pain and limited mobility stick around, there can be more to the story.
Override specializes in chronic pain. Our virtual care team looks at the physical, neurological, and emotional factors that can influence ongoing pain, then builds a personalized care plan around your needs, goals, and life.
of appointments are fully virtual. In-network with most insurance plans in select states.
of patients report improvement*
satisfaction with Override providers*
*Source: Internal Override Health patient-reported outcomes data
What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
“Stenosis” means narrowing. Spinal stenosis happens when the spaces within your spine narrow, putting pressure on the nerves that travel through it. It’s most common in the lower back (lumbar stenosis) and neck (cervical stenosis), and usually develops gradually from age-related changes like thickened ligaments, bone spurs, or disc degeneration.
Pain, cramping, or numbness in the lower back, buttocks, or legs, often worse with standing or walking
Symptoms that ease when sitting or leaning forward
Numbness or tingling in the hands, if the narrowing is in the neck
Balance issues or leg weakness in more significant cases
Chronic pain from spinal stenosis is also a nervous system story. When pain from nerve compression continues for months, the nervous system can become more sensitized, which can keep pain and discomfort present even when a position change would otherwise help. This is a real, physiological process most single-provider treatment plans never touch.
When Spinal Stenosis Becomes More Than a Back Problem
When stenosis-related pain limits your walking and standing for months, it can start affecting much more than your spine.
Pain can change how far you walk, how you plan your day, what activities you avoid, and how confident you feel about staying active as you get older.
That’s why Override doesn’t treat spinal stenosis as only a structural problem.
We look at the whole pain experience and build a personalized plan around your symptoms, history, goals, and the factors that may be contributing to your pain.
A Whole-Person Approach to Spinal Stenosis
You may have already seen a doctor, tried physical therapy, or taken medication. Maybe something helped for a while. Maybe nothing did.
Override isn’t about asking one more treatment to solve every part of a complex pain experience. It’s about bringing the right care together.
Depending on your needs, your personalized care plan may include:
Pain Medicine
Pain specialists trained in pain neuroscience and non-opioid chronic pain management who can oversee your care plan and adjust medications when appropriate.
Physical Therapy
Movement specialists trained in chronic pain who help with positional and strengthening strategies that can ease pressure on affected nerves.
Pain Psychology
Pain-focused therapists who help address the frustration and activity avoidance that can build up when walking becomes limited by pain.
Coaching & Peer Support
Certified pain coaches help you build sustainable daily habits and stay supported between visits.
Your care is personalized to you. You may not need every service. The difference is that your providers can work together as one team, with one shared understanding of your pain and your goals.
Real Results
“Override has been a game-changer in my journey with chronic pain. It’s not just about relief; it’s about unlocking my life, revitalizing relationships, and retraining my physical function. I’m getting outside more often, have a little more pep in my step, and for the first time in a LONG, LONG time, I feel hopeful.”
Raymond K.
Override patient
How Is Spinal Stenosis Treated?
For most people, spinal stenosis is managed without surgery.
Treatment can include physical therapy, medications, and behavioral approaches. Surgery is generally reserved for severe cases with significant nerve compression that haven’t responded to conservative care.
We’ve created a complete guide to back pain treatment options, including how different approaches work and when they may be considered.
When Should You Consider Override for Spinal Stenosis?
Your symptoms have lasted three months or longer
Your pain keeps returning or interfering with your daily life
You’ve tried treatment without enough relief
Pain is affecting your movement, sleep, work, mood, or the things you want to do
Override isn’t emergency or acute injury care. If you have new loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness around the groin or saddle area, or severe or rapidly worsening weakness or balance problems, seek appropriate in-person medical care right away.
Related Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s most often the result of age-related wear: thickening ligaments, bone spurs, or bulging discs gradually narrowing the space around the nerves. Less commonly, it can be present from birth or result from an injury.
Most cases are manageable and progress slowly, with symptoms that respond well to conservative treatment. Severe cases with significant nerve compression, especially with balance problems or leg weakness, need more prompt evaluation.
A herniated disc is displaced disc material pressing on a nerve. Spinal stenosis is a broader narrowing of the spinal canal, which can be caused by several factors including bone spurs, thickened ligaments, or a disc bulge. The two can occur together.
It tends to progress slowly, but symptoms don’t always worsen at the same rate. Many people manage it effectively for years with conservative treatment and activity adjustments.
Yes, for the majority of cases. Surgery is reserved for more severe or unresponsive cases.
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