Degenerative Disc Disease & Spinal Stenosis Treatment in Grand Rapids
Reviewed by Dr. Ryan Davis, DC, Davis Chiropractic Health & Wellness, Grand Rapids, MN · Last reviewed October 2026
Stiff in the morning. Legs that get heavy or tingly after a few minutes of walking. Needing to lean on the shopping cart to make it through the grocery store. If you’ve been told you have “arthritis in your spine,” degenerative discs, or spinal stenosis, you’re not alone, and you’re not out of options. We look for the cause of the problem instead of just covering up the symptoms.
What Are Degenerative Disc Disease and Spinal Stenosis?
Degenerative disc disease isn’t really a disease. It’s the normal wear that happens to the discs between your vertebrae over time. Discs lose water and height, and the joints of the spine can develop arthritis and bone spurs. Many people have these changes on an X-ray and feel fine. Others develop stiffness and pain.
Spinal stenosis means narrowing of the spaces where the spinal cord and nerves travel. Disc wear, thickened ligaments, and bone spurs can crowd those spaces and put pressure on the nerves. In the low back, that often causes leg symptoms when walking or standing that ease when you sit down or bend forward.
Common Signs
- Low back or neck stiffness, worse in the morning or after sitting
- Legs that feel heavy, tired, achy, or tingly after walking or standing
- Relief when you sit down or lean forward, like on a shopping cart
- Trouble standing up straight for long periods
- Pain that comes and goes with activity and weather
Where Do You Feel It?
| What you notice | What may be involved |
|---|---|
| Low back stiffness, worse in the morning, loosens up as you move | Disc wear and spinal joint arthritis |
| Legs get heavy or tingly with walking, better when you sit or lean forward | Lumbar spinal stenosis |
| Pain down one leg with numbness or tingling | Nerve root pressure. See our sciatica and herniated disc pages. |
| Calf pain with walking that eases when you just stop and stand still | Possible circulation problem. We’ll check and refer you to your medical provider. |
This is a general guide, not a diagnosis. Patterns overlap, and an exam is what sorts it out.
How We Find the Source
We start with your history and what makes your symptoms better or worse. Then we check how your spine and hips move, test your strength, reflexes, and sensation, and look at how you walk. We take X-rays right here in our office to see disc height, joint arthritis, bone spurs, and alignment, so we know exactly what we’re working with before we start care. If your exam suggests significant nerve pressure, we’ll refer you for an MRI or to a specialist.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
We can’t reverse wear and tear, but many people move better, walk farther, and hurt less with the right care. Treatment focuses on gentle motion, taking pressure off the nerves, and keeping you active. Depending on what we find, your plan may include:
- Gentle adjustments, including low-force and instrument options
- Flexion-distraction and traction to gently open up the spaces where the nerves travel
- Laser therapy to help calm pain and inflammation
- Massage therapy for tight, guarded muscles
- Exercises that ease stenosis symptoms and strengthen the core and hips
- A walking plan and tips for standing, sleeping, and daily activities
When to Get Emergency Care
Call 911 or go to the ER right away if back pain comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or weakness in both legs. Also get prompt medical care for leg weakness that is getting worse, frequent falls, or new clumsiness in your hands or trouble with balance, which can be a sign of pressure on the spinal cord in the neck.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to get adjusted with arthritis or degenerative discs?
For most people, yes. We use your X-rays and exam to choose gentle techniques that fit your spine, including low-force and instrument adjusting when that’s a better fit.
Why do my legs feel better when I lean on a shopping cart?
Bending forward opens up the spaces where the nerves travel in the low back. Standing straight and walking narrows them. That pattern is a classic sign of lumbar spinal stenosis.
Will my degenerative disc disease keep getting worse?
Disc changes are a normal part of aging, and the X-ray doesn’t always match how you feel. Staying active, keeping the spine moving, and strengthening the muscles that support it can make a big difference in how you function.
Do I need surgery for spinal stenosis?
Many people manage stenosis well with conservative care and exercise. Surgery is usually considered when symptoms are severe, getting worse, or causing weakness. We’ll tell you if your exam suggests you should see a specialist.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can see a chiropractor in Minnesota without a referral. Some insurance plans have their own rules, and our front desk can help you check your benefits.
Stay Active and Keep Moving
We can’t turn back the clock on wear and tear, but many people move better, walk farther, and hurt less with the right care. Our team at Davis Chiropractic Health & Wellness, P.A. would be honored to help you stay active.
What care with us looks like:
- X-rays right here in our office, so we know exactly what we’re working with
- Gentle adjustments, including low-force and instrument options
- Flexion-distraction, traction, laser therapy, and massage therapy, depending on what we find
- A walking plan and simple exercises for your core and hips
Voted Best Chiropractor in Itasca County in 2025 and Best in Itasca County for professional services, therapy, and massage therapy in 2026, we care for families and seniors all over Grand Rapids and Itasca County, and walk-ins are always welcome.
From pain relief to long-term wellness, we’ve got you covered. Call or text us today at (218) 326-1804 to schedule — it’s quick and easy. Or schedule online in seconds.
Davis Chiropractic Health & Wellness, P.A. · Grand Rapids, MN · (218) 326-1804