Spinal stenosis
Leg heaviness or pain with walking and standing that eases when you sit or lean forward.
By Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist · Reviewed July 2026
What it is
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the space around the nerves in the spine, usually with age. In the lower back it often causes leg heaviness, aching or pins and needles that build with walking or standing and ease when you sit or lean forward.
Signs and symptoms
Everyone is different, but these are common with spinal stenosis. You may have some and not others.
How physiotherapy helps
Physiotherapy can improve comfort and how far you can walk. We assess your movement, use hands on therapy and positions that open the space for the nerves, and build a program to keep you active and strong. We coordinate with your GP and consider imaging where appropriate.
- Walking and movement assessment
- Hands on therapy and positioning
- Strength and walking program
- GP coordination as needed
How we treat it
The right mix depends on your assessment. These are the services we most often draw on for this.
Exercise and rehabilitation
Tailored programs to rebuild mobility, strength and confidence in the movements that matter to you.
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Chronic pain physiotherapy
A broader, paced approach for pain that has stayed past the normal healing time.
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Spinal and joint mobilisation
Gentle, controlled movement to improve a stiff joint and ease the pain that comes with it.
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Trigger point dry needling
Fine needles into trigger points to release muscle tension and ease referred pain. A core focus at PACT.
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What you pay, with or without cover
Every appointment is a full, unhurried session with the time to work through complex, persistent problems. The fee is $165 for an initial visit and $142 for a follow up, and if you have Medicare, private health extras or an accepted claim, here is what you pay.
Paying privately
No referral or paperwork needed. Every visit is a full, unhurried session with the time it needs.
With a Medicare plan
A GP Chronic Disease Management referral rebates $61.80 on every visit, up to 5 a year.
With private health extras
Claim on the spot through HICAPS. The gap depends on your fund and level of cover. See all health funds
Workers comp & CTP
Accepted workers compensation and CTP claims are billed straight to your insurer, and we handle the paperwork.
Every bar is drawn to the same scale, from $0 to the standard fee. Private health gaps vary with your fund and your level of extras cover.
Other problems we help with
Pain rarely sits in one neat box. These are commonly linked, and we treat them all.
Good to know before you book
Will I keep getting worse?
How much will it cost?
Do I need a referral?
Can it be managed by telehealth?
Read more on this
Plain English articles from our physiotherapist, written to answer the questions we get asked most.
Sources and further reading
Written and reviewed by Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist. Last reviewed July 2026.
This page is general information about spinal stenosis, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an assessment. If you are concerned about your symptoms, book an appointment or see your GP.
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Same day appointments often available at our Miranda clinic, or by telehealth across Australia.