Watch the video to find out what symptoms indicate spinal stenosis versus general back pain?

Are you trying to work out whether your pain is general back pain or spinal stenosis?

Below is a guide which I hope helps you understand the difference and what to look for.  It's important to say that you can only diagnose spinal stenosis with an MRI but hope this guide gives you some help of what to look out for. 

Quick refresher: what is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis means the space around your spinal nerves has narrowed. When space gets tight, the nerves get irritated. That irritation shows up most when you’re upright and moving, especially walking. 

Spinal stenosis: the tell-tale symptom pattern

If you’re ticking several of these, stenosis is more likely:

• Leg symptoms with standing/walking: aching, burning, tingling, numbness, heaviness or weakness into the buttock/legs.

• Limited walking distance: you have to stop or sit down after a while because your legs feel heavy o

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