I notice my 83-year old mother is sitting more and more when she used to be so active everyday. When I asked her about this, she told me her back and legs hurt the longer she stands. If she bends forward, she feels better but she doesn’t want to go around hunched over. Is there some exercise she could do to help with this problem?

The symptoms you’re describing are classic for a condition called neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC). Pain, numbness, and weakness in the low back, buttocks, and legs are common with this condition. The symptoms gradually get worse as the affected person stands and walks. Sitting, lying down, or bending forward are the positions of greatest comfort.

The cause of the problem is usually spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal where the spinal cord is located. The spinal cord ends around L2 so symptoms from this condition can also come from pressure on the spinal nerves as they exit the spinal canal.

A medical exam is best to be certain what the problem is — and the best treatment. Many older adults with spinal stenosis also have arthritic changes in the bones of the spine that can make the problem more difficult to treat. Positions and exercises that might help the stenosis can make the arthritis worse.

Antiinflammatory drugs may be of some help. If a course of conservative treatment doesn’t bring relief from symptoms, your mother may be a good candidate for surgery. A special device called the X STOP can be used to put space between the bones of the spine. This prevents the spine from extending while standing and takes the pressure off the nerve tissues.