Causes of and Treatment Options for Spondylosis

Causes of and Treatment Options for Spondylosis

Spondylosis—also known as spinal osteoarthritis—is a degenerative condition that affects the spine. Experts say it’s mostly caused by aging; the older a person gets, the more wear and tear he or she exerts on their cartilages and bones. As a result, the spinal discs lose their cushioning and the bones develop spurs, causing pain. The two most common forms of spondylosis are cervical (in the neck) or lumbar (in the lower back).

Causes of and Treatment Options for Spondylosis
Spondylosis treatment includes medications and/or surgery, depending on how severe the symptoms are.
Age, however, is not the only determining factor of this disorder. Other factors that will put a person at risk for spondylosis include genetics (there’s a family history of having this condition), smoking, type of work, previous neck injury or spine surgery, mental health problems, or severe arthritis.

The common symptoms in both cervical and lumbar spondylosis include pain in the affected area that comes and goes, tenderness or numbness, pain felt when getting out of bed, and feelings of weakness or tingling. Pain can also extend to other body parts from the primary affected area. While symptoms develop over time, it can also be felt all of a sudden, and if spondylosis remains untreated, it can lead to complications like chronic pain, fecal or urinary incontinence, loss of muscle function, or even permanent disability.

Conventional medicine has several treatment options for spondylosis, including medications and surgery if the symptoms are already severe. However, alternative medicine also offers some options a patient can choose from. Here are some of them:

• Herbal remedies like the Devil’s claw (an arthritis treatment with anti-inflammatory properties) and ginger (also addresses the inflammation in the affected area).
• Massage can help relax tight muscles, leading to reduced pain.
• Yoga can also help the mind relax and strengthen the core muscles, which will help with lumbar pain.
• Chiropractic treatment reduces the pain felt by the patient and restores mobility of the spinal joints. It includes a variety of methods, such as cold or heat therapy, ultrasound, lifestyle modification, and, its primary method, spinal adjustment.

Some spondylosis sufferers prefer alternative treatments as they need no drugs or surgery. Chiropractic care, in particular, is holistic and addresses the different aspects of a patient’s life, not just the pain brought by the disorder. It is a balanced approach that emphasizes not just the intervention, but prevention as well.

If you have been diagnosed with spondylosis, you know how painful it can be. Before opting for surgery, try out chiropractic care first to reduce the pain you feel and improve your overall health.

See also:
Arizona Spondylosis Doctor
Chiropractic 101
Chiropractic Care for Pain Relief

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