Spinal stenosis refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal and is a leading cause of back pain. Typically these degenerative changes occur over decades and pain, which is often the first sign, does not occur until late in the disease course. Lumbar spinal stenosis causes a band-like pattern of pain in the lower back, buttock and thighs and makes it very difficult to walk even short distances. Patients with spinal stenosis will often have to sit down after routine activities or walking. Patients will often find the need to sit down and rest even after walking short distances as the pain is too unbearable. It can quickly make the most trivial tasks seem impossible. Patients have many options when it comes to the treatment of spinal stenosis and surgery is not always needed.