Chiropractic + Physical Therapy for Central Canal Stenosis: Getting Back to Hiking
Lauren Angello, DC | Living Well Center for Integrative Health – Essex Junction, VT
Patient: 61-year-old Essex Town resident
Primary concern: Low back pain and central canal stenosis limiting hiking
The Challenge
Chronic low back pain and central canal stenosis had taken hiking — the activity that kept this patient grounded — off the table. Months of back and leg pain, plus spinal injections that offered no lasting relief, left him stuck.
Assessment & Integrated Plan
Lauren Angello, DC coordinated care with the physical therapy team. The plan centered on:
Flexion-distraction chiropractic adjustments to reduce pressure on spinal nerves and discs
Targeted strengthening and movement retraining for core and hip strength
Posture and gait retraining for work and trail demands
Flexion-distraction is a gentle, traction-based technique that creates space and relief so patients can progress into active rehab.
Outcomes That Mattered
Returned to full-time work without constant pain barriers
Resumed weekend hiking with manageable rather than limiting symptoms
Improved strength, movement patterns, and confidence on the trail
Why This Worked
Combining flexion-distraction with physical therapy addressed both the mechanical narrowing and the functional deficits. This is the non-surgical approach many spine centers recommend for central canal stenosis.
Privacy Notice: All case studies are fully anonymized and represent common conditions treated at Living Well. Results described in this case study reflect one patient's individual experience. Outcomes vary from person to person, and individual results are not guaranteed.