How does IDD Therapy help with spinal canal stenosis?

Watch the video to show how does IDD Therapy help with spinal canal stenosis? 

Are you wondering how IDD Therapy can help with spinal canal stenosis and you live in Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire?

I've put together a simple guide so you are clear :what stenosis is, why it hurts, what treatment options you have, how safe treatment is to get you back feeling good again. 

What is spinal canal stenosis (in plain English!)?

Spinal canal stenosis means the space around your spinal nerves has narrowed. When space gets tight, nerves get irritated, which can cause:

• Aching or sharp pain in the back/buttock that can run into the leg

• Pins and needles, tingling, burning, or numbness

• Heavy/tired legs or reduced walking distance (often improves when you sit or lean forward)

  

Common reasons the space narrows:

1. Discs can lose height and bulge
2. Facet joints can thicken/overload
3. The ligamentum flavum (a lining ligament) can buckle into the canal - which takes up space

Its all about lack of space around the nerves!  If there's not enough space it pinches the nerve and causes pain. 

How does IDD Therapy help with spinal canal stenosis? 

What are my treatment options? 

When you have a spinal stenosis diagnosis there's really 3 main options to get better and a 4th would be to do nothing! 

Here's the positive to get better:

• Injections can reduce inflammation temporarily so you can progress rehab but they don’t fix the mechanics and results vary person-to-person.

• Surgery (decompression) can be very effective for selected cases. We work alongside consultants and will refer if your MRI/symptoms suggest you’ll benefit. However, there are surgery risks and costs and you'll want to explore fully first before considering. 

• IDD Therapy is for people who want to stay non-invasive first, where MRI shows a treatable level and your assessment points to likely benefit. IDD therapy has a 85% rate of effectiveness which is the same as surgery (without the risks) Many of our patients have said they would like to have this treatment before considering surgery. 

• The do nothing option! Whilst we can't predict the future the reality is, its not going to get better without an intervention and likely will deteriorate over time so your symptoms or ability to walk will likely worsen over time. The earlier you start treatment, the quicker your recovery. 

The Non-Invasive option

How IDD Therapy helps (the simple version) 

IDD stands for Intervertebral Disc Decompression. It’s a non-surgical, computer-controlled treatment. You lie comfortably while the machine gently targets the specific spinal level shown on your MRI.

How does IDD Therapy help with spinal canal stenosis? 

What it does:

1. Targeted decompression: Gently stretches the segment to reduce pressure within the disc and around the nerve.

2. Oscillation (a precise “wiggle”): Encourages fluid and nutrients back into the disc—think of it like pumping up a tyre so the disc and nearby joints move and glide better.

3. Creates space to settle the nerve: With pressure lowered, there’s a little more room for the nerve, helping to calm irritation and improve walking tolerance over a course of sessions, not overnight.

In short: decompress + re-hydrate + calm the nerve, using your MRI to guide the exact level.

 IDD Therapy in action - lovely and comfy! 

Is IDD Therapy safe?

When delivered by trained clinicians and after proper screening (which we will do!) IDD Therapy is considered safe and non-invasive.

Before starting, we:

• Review your MRI and perform a full nerve/orthopaedic exam

• Confirm you’re a good candidate

• Explain the plan and answer questions

Who it may not suit:  unstable fractures, active cancer, severe osteoporosis, recent spinal surgery, pregnancy, or other red flags. If your case needs a surgical opinion, I'll let you know and recommend my 'go to surgeon,' 

What does a session feel like?

Most people describe a comfortable, relieving stretch with a gentle rhythmic movement at the target level. You’re supported by harnesses, and the table can tilt to make getting on/off easy. Because nerves and discs heal gradually, treatment is delivered as a course, paired with simple rehab to keep the gains.

What we aim for over time:

• Less back/leg pain

• Longer walking distance before symptoms start

• Calmer nerve symptoms (less tingling/burning)

• Better mobility and confidence in movement

  More information on IDD Therapy

A simple plan for you:

1. Assessment + MRI review: get clear on the level and mechanics.

2. Course of IDD Therapy (if suitable): decompress the level, improve fluid exchange, calm the nerve.

3. Progressive rehab: gentle mobility → stability → strength, matched to symptoms.

4. Lifestyle tweaks: pacing, posture strategies, a plan to get you strong again. We'll guide you all the way. 

If that sounds like the route you want, I'm  happy to talk you through it.

Do you want help or to speak to us?

If you’re living in Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire and struggling with stenosis and looking for a non-invasive  solution that helps you avoid surgery and get back to living

👉 Click on the link before to find a solution to your pain - either a friendly expect call for more information or if you're ready to book, here's our diary: