You probably already have a rough idea of what a spine is. Your spine is your backbone, and it allows you to walk on two legs as it supports your upper body. “Stenosis,” on the other hand, is a medical term not well known outside of the health profession. The word comes from ancient Greece, and it refers to a narrowing or a stricture. So spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spine.

Whether you or someone you know has the condition right now, it’s highly likely that you will know someone with a narrowing spine in the future, as it becomes more common with age. Read further to gain a wealth of information about spinal stenosis. You will learn its different types, its causes, who it impacts, and what you can do about it.