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Spinal stenosis.
Make room for a plan.
When standing, walking, or daily tasks become harder, the next step should be clear. Bring your symptoms, imaging, and goals to an individualized spine evaluation at NSI.
Non-surgical spine care on Weston Road · Weston, Sunrise & Broward County
Central canal & foramina.
Animated highlights identify the central canal and a lateral opening where a nerve root exits.
01 / Central canal stenosisSpace within the canal narrows and may crowd nerve structures. In the lower lumbar region, this canal contains the cauda equina nerve roots.
02 / Foraminal stenosisA lateral opening between vertebrae narrows and may crowd the nerve root passing through it.
Understand where
narrowing matters.
Spinal stenosis means narrowing of spaces around the spinal cord or nerve roots. It commonly affects the lower back or neck. Some people have narrowing without symptoms; others develop pain, altered sensation, or weakness.
Notice what
has changed.
Bring specific examples of what you feel and which activities have become difficult.
Walking & standing
Lower-back stenosis may cause leg aching, tingling, or cramping with standing or walking, sometimes easing with sitting or leaning forward.
Neck & arm symptoms
Narrowing in the neck can be associated with arm or hand symptoms. Changes in balance or hand coordination deserve prompt attention.
Your daily limits
Tell us how far you can walk, how often you need to rest, and which activities you want to regain.
The location matters.
So does function.
Bring the full report, including whether it describes narrowing of the central canal or nerve openings. Ask how those findings relate to your examination and whether specialist assessment is needed.
- Listen: your symptoms, health history, and previous care.
- Examine: movement and neurological function as appropriate.
- Review: available imaging and whether further testing is useful.
- Plan: reasonable goals, options, costs, and when to reassess.
Discuss your options.
Define your goals.
A useful plan should explain why each step is recommended and how you will know whether it is helping.
Rehabilitation & activity
Discuss an individualized movement plan, activity adjustments, and rehabilitation when appropriate.
Symptom management
Ask about medication or injection options, including the expected benefit, limitations, and risks for your health history.
Specialist input
Ask when persistent symptoms or neurological findings should prompt a surgical or other specialist opinion.
Bring the images.
Bring your questions.
Have an MRI or X-rays? Bring the images and written reports, together with your medication list and a brief history of previous care. You can contact NSI before obtaining new imaging.
Request your evaluation ↗A team you
can get to know.
Founder and Clinic Director Dr. Darran Hamm has shaped NSI around individualized non-surgical care. Dr. Maritza Novas brings regenerative medicine experience to the institute. Learn about their roles and meet Dr. Rosemary Daly on our provider page.
Meet the NSI team ↗Your questions
belong here.
Is spinal stenosis the same as a herniated disc?
No. Stenosis describes narrowing; a herniated disc is one structure that may contribute to narrowing.
Can non-surgical care reverse the narrowing?
Care may focus on symptoms and function. Do not assume symptom improvement means the spinal canal has widened. Discuss realistic goals with your clinician.
When should I discuss surgery?
Ask about specialist evaluation if walking or function is significantly limited, symptoms persist despite care, or neurological changes develop.
Do I need an MRI before scheduling?
No. Bring the records you already have and contact the team first. Your clinician can determine whether additional imaging would help.
What should I know about costs?
Ask which services are recommended, what insurance may cover, and your expected out-of-pocket costs before care begins.
How will we review progress?
Choose meaningful goals with your clinician, such as an everyday activity you want to improve, and agree on when to reassess.
Patient education sources: NIAMS: Spinal Stenosis · AAOS: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. Educational information does not replace an individual evaluation.
Explore your non-surgical options
Decompression requires a suitability assessment; it is not appropriate for every cause of pain.
Explore spinal decompression ↗Request a Spine Evaluation
Tell us how to reach you and whether you are seeking knee or spine care. Our team will follow up about your appointment request.
Prefer to call? 954-280-2230
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