Spondylosis - cause, symptoms, alternative treatment

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1 Spondylosis - cause, symptoms, alternative treatment Tell me, do these describe you? You feel pain on your neck area. The pain spreads from your neck down to your arms. Or are you having lower back pain? The aforementioned are few symptoms of spondylosis. If you experience these, then you should immediately consult a doctor for proper diagnosis. Spondylosis is a degenerative disorder that affects the spine. Another name for this is spinal osteoarthritis. The primary cause for this disorder is ageing. As people age, cartilages and bones may suffer from excessive wear and tear. Because of this, the discs of the spine lose their cushioning effect between the bones, ligaments weaken, and the bones develop spurs. Different levels of the spine can be affected by Spondylosis, making the symptoms of this condition vary depending as to what level is affected. The following are the symptoms: If your cervical or neck area is affected, you will most likely suffer from: Neck pain. Tenderness or numbness of the neck. Often having neck or shoulder stiffness after getting out of bed. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. This is a new generation of drugs that are being used for spondylosis. It has been proven effective in blocking TNF that causes inflammation. Pain that is not limited to your neck. It spreads down to your shoulders, arms, hands, or fingers. Neck, shoulder, arm, hand, or finger suffers from weakness or tingling. Having headache on the back your head. o Decrease in ability to balance yourself. For thoracic or mid-back area spondylosis, the symptoms are as follows: Pain in the upper and middle area of your back. Extending and bending of the body (specifically the back) causes pain. Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) will ease pain not only on the pelvis and spine but also on other joints of the body. Often times, having mid-back stiffness after getting out of bed. Lumbar or lower back symptoms include: Pain that come and goes. After having an exercise of just by resting, the pain decreases. Suffering from low back stiffness when getting out of bed. Numbness or tenderness of the lower back area. Experiencing weakness or numbness of the low back area, legs, or feet. Having difficulty with walking. Feeling pain on the legs. There are different treatment options for spondylosis, one being alternative medicine. This form of treatment may either complement or become an alternative to western and conventional medicine. Herbal remedies. SAMe - effective in treating problems that occur due to wear and tear. Devil's claw - a known arthritis treatment. It has anti-inflammatory properties that work to soothe the symptoms. Ginger - similar with Devil's claw, this herb works to address inflammation caused by the

2 disorder. Massage. Having the proper massage will help ease tight muscles that surround the spine. This will reduce the pain brought by the disorder. Yoga or Pilates. Doing this form of exercise will relax both the body and the mind. In this way, you will be aiding your core and spinal muscles to strengthen. So there you have it. Spondylosis has been explained. The causes, symptoms, and even alternative treatments for it have been introduced. Now, it's time for you to utilize this information. Remember, this disorder can be very painful and disabling but with proper knowledge, treatment, and management, you won't let it run your life. 6 treatment options for Spondylosis Let's face it. when the doctor told you that you have Spondylosis, one of the first things that popped in your mind was "can it be cured?" If I was right and you did think of that, you will be glad to hear that there are various treatment options for Spondylosis. What first is Spondylosis? It is a disorder that affects the spine. Due to excessive wear and tear of the cartilages and bones, especially when people age, the ligaments, discs, and bones experience deterioration. Ligaments become weaker, discs become less efficient cushions, and the bones suffer from spurts. This disorder, which is also known as spinal osteoarthritis, can be very painful and disabling if untreated and unmanaged. So, what are the available treatment options for Spondylosis? Depending on the severity of your Spondylosis, your doctor may prescribe medications to relieve you from the pain and to slowly address the symptoms of the disorder. If the initial medications prescribed do not work, the doctor may give you stronger ones. Now, if it is still not working, the doctor may opt to give you spinal injections. Examples of medications taken for this disorder are as follows: Over the counter and prescription Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Muscle relaxants If your case of spinal osteoarthritis causes spinal instability, then the doctor may recommend spinal braces. Having spinal instability makes you susceptible to neurological injury (nerve injury). A brace will help support your spine, aid in relaxation of the muscles, and promote stability of the spine. You can also be recommended to take physical therapy sessions. Physical therapists will teach you techniques on how to maintain mobility and reduce pain. Therapy sessions will also strengthen your spinal muscles so that they will be able to support your spine more efficiently. Moreover, muscles will be stretched to reduce nerve compression. Chiropractic care is another option. Hand-on manipulation is the primary technique used in this treatment. Chiropractors will determine if your case can be treated using chiropractic

3 methods such as spine manipulation, exercise, massage, and nutritional counseling. If not, they will recommend you to other professionals. One more option is alternative treatments like acupuncture, acupressure, and herbal medicines. Massage is another strategy under this treatment. If you have a mild case of spondylosis, your doctor may approve alternative medicines to replace conventional ones. But using alternative treatments in conjunction with other forms or treatment for Spondyosis are more common. Last and definitely not the least is surgery. Don't worry. Surgery as a treatment is only for the most severe cases. In fact, only 5% of people who suffer from back pains require surgery. If your doctor introduces surgery as a possible option for you, ask the purpose, what type of surgery, and the possible complications. You see, there are a lot of treatment options for Spondylosis. What you have to do is to determine the best options for you, of course with the help of your doctor. Cervical Spondylosis - Causes, Symptoms, Tests and Diagnosis Did you know that as a person grows old, the back experiences wearing away? Yes. As you get older, the bones and other parts of your back may come to a point that becomes damage due to the wear and tear it constantly goes through. Cervical Spondylosis being one of the effects of constant degeneration. Cervical Spondylosis, a common degenerative disorder of the spine, specifically affects the neck. It is a condition that affects both males and females who are usually ages 40 and above. Cervical osteoarthritis, another name for the specified spondylosis, appears earlier in men than in women. What causes cervical spondylosis? As mentioned earlier, age related wear and tear is the primary cause for this condition. Ligaments become too weak or too stiff; discs lose its ability to act as cushions, and bone start to form abnormal spurs. Other factors that may cause this condition are past neck or spine injuries and severe arthritis. How can you tell if the pain you are feeling is due to cervical spondylosis? The signs and symptoms of this condition are as follows: Spondylosis - cause, symptoms, alternative treatment Neck becomes stiff or painful. Arms and hands become weak or numb. Feet, legs, arms, or hands get the tingling or pinprick feeling. Difficulty with coordinating your movements. Having abnormal reflexes.

4 If you have these symptoms and you go to your doctor, you can expect that different assessments will be done to confirm if you have cervical sponylosis. These include: Your doctor will have to assess your neck flexibility. Spondylosis affects one's range of motion. The doctor will have tilt your and rotate your head and neck towards different directions. Another is checking if your nerves in the spine have been affected or compressed. Your reflexes will be checked to see if your arms and legs feel the sensation and if your nerves are able to generate reactions. X-ray can be used to check if there are any abnormalities like bone spurs. In this case, spinal or neck X-rays are used. Injecting a special dye into the spinal canal and then generating images using CT scans or X-rays to see there are affected areas on spine is called Myelogram. MRI or CT scans are like X-rays but produces clearer images. It will help aid your doctor in finding out the severity of the damage to you cervical area. Cervical spondylosis can be a bit scary especially if you are not informed about the condition very well. Just remember, if you have the symptoms, immediately consult a doctor so that she or he could diagnose you properly and provide a treatment plan to help you with the condition. Treatment options for cervical spondylosis Let me ask you two simple questions? Are you having the feeling that you probably have cervical spondylosis? Or did the doctor already tell you that you do have this condition? Well if your answer is yes to at least one of the questions... then probably you are now searching for ways on how to treat cervical spondylosis or cervical osteoarthritis, right? If that's the case, then you are on the right page. By the end of this article, you will be informed of the different treatment options cervical osteoarthritis. The primary goals of treatments for cervical spondylosis is to prevent alleviate pain and avoid permanent injury to the nerves and spinal cord. For mild cases of spondylosis, medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) will be of big help. It will reduce pain brought by the condition. Neck brace is another option. This works by limiting the motion of your neck when you wear it during the day. Why? It is to lessen irritation to the nerves. Your doctor may most probably also recommend you to a Physical Therapist. These therapists will prescribe e xercise routines that will strengthen and stretch the muscles of your neck and shoulders. If your spondylosis is more severe, stronger treatments will be required. Your doctor may increase the dose of your medications or give you stronger ones. Instead of taking NSAIDs alone, you may be prescribed to take muscle relaxants. Spinal injections which contain corticosteroid medications and local anaesthetic will lessen the pain and inflammation. For the really severe cases of cervical spondylosis wherein other treatments proved to have no effect, surgery will be needed. Only 5% of people who suffer from spondylosis go through surgery. Depending on the severity or the location of damage, your doctor will have to choose what surgical approach will be done. One approach is laminectomy. In this procedure, the doctor will make an

5 incision though the back of your neck, and remove or rearrange certain bones. Laminoplasty, on the other hand, involves cutting and moving pieces of cervical vertebrae. Aside from the medical treatments mentioned above, you could supplement your treatment plan with natural ways. One is through taking herbal remedies. Example of effective herbs for cervical spondylosis is Neem and gum resin. Simple exercises such as engaging in regular walk will also help. Yoga exercise that stretches and strengthen muscles will be beneficial as well. In addition, having a massage on the neck and shoulder area will relieve pressure and relax the neck. Lastly, diet modification is advisable. Avoid having fried and sour foods as these can worsen your symptoms. There you have it. Different treatment options for cervical spondylosis have been given. Your goal is to look for the effective ways for you. Just remember to consult your doctor regarding your plans and decisions regarding your condition. Cause, Symptoms and Diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylosis Are you one of the people who have been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylosis? If you are, or if you know someone who has it, then you must be informed as to what Ankylosing Spondylosis is, what are its causes and symptoms, and how can you be diagnosed with the disease. Ankylosing Spondylosis is a form of arthritis that affects the spine, and the joints of the arms and legs. It primarily affects the sacroiliac joint. The sacroiliac joint, which is located on the lower back, is where the sacrum and the bones on either side of the buttocks meet. Spondylosis causes pain and stiffness to this area of the body, and to the spine itself. Spondylitis can lead to the fusion of the vertebrae, resulting to immobility of the spine. Aside from being a chronic disease, Ankylosing Sponylitis is considered to be a systemic disease. It is probable that this disease of the spine may affect other tissues of the body, causing inflammation to other joints, and even to other organs of the body. THow prevalent is Ankylosing Spondylosis? In the United States alone, it affects 129 out of 100,000 people. Men and women are both affected but the disease is more prevalent on males as they occur twice as much in men than in women. Age of onset is usually before 40s. What causes Ankylosing Spondylosis? There is no known specific cause for this disease. However, research shows that there is a genetic component related to its development. A gene called HLA- B27 have been associated with the disease as 90% of people who suffer from Spondylosis have this gene, and 10 to 15% of those who inherit this gene is likely to develop the disease. So, what are its symptoms? Having constant pain in your lower back and hips. Suffering from stiffness in the area of your lower back or hips. Pain is felt especially after a period of being inactive (when getting out of bed as a classic example).

6 The pain stops when you move, or when you have a warm shower. For more advanced stages of the spondylosis: Observing continual stooping. Suffering from rigid spine. Getting easily fatigued. Significant unintended weight loss. Difficulty breathing. Pain in the eyes especially when looking at bright lights. Whether the symptoms look mild, if you observe yourself to have the symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. Why? It is because early diagnosis and treatment will prevent complications and further damage to your body. Treatments will also reduce the pain caused by the disease. When you go to the doctor, you can expect to undergo X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. Blood testing is also done as part of the diagnostic tests. Remember, Ankylosis Spondylosis is a disease that needs to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Knowing the symptoms and using the information above will be of great help. 4 treatment options for ankylosing spondylosis Ever wondered how you could reduce the pain brought about by ankylosing spondylosis? You'll agree with the fact that this disease could really be painful and disabling at times... If left untreated, it could become the cause of your spine's immobility. Surely, you wouldn't want that to happen, right? There are many treatment options for ankylosing spondylosis, all of which are focused on reducing the pain, inflammation, and stiffness that results from the disease. Treatments also work to prevent damages to worsen, slow down the disease, and prevent further deformities. Basically, all of these will enable you to continue doing the activities that are important for your well being.the following are the treatments that your doctor may prescribe: Physical therapy. Through sessions with a physical therapist, you will be taught ways on how to manage to move without feeling pain, or at the least, moving with less pain. The therapist may also teach you how to use heat and cold on dealing with stiffness and inflammation. You will also be informed and trained on doing several exercises to maintain proper posture and to lessen the deformities on your bones. Lastly, since ankylosing spondylosis may affect one's lung capacity, therapists will give instructions on how you could expand your lungs and improve your breathing capacity.

7 Medications. There are several types of drugs for ankylosing spondylosis, and your doctor will prescribe one depending on your case and on your chief complaints. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) will lessen the inflammation and pain. This is usually the first medications that will be given to you. Corticosteroids will also deal with the inflammation of the joints. Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) will ease pain not only on the pelvis and spine but also on other joints of the body. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. This is a new generation of drugs that are being used for spondylosis. It has been proven effective in blocking TNF that causes inflammation. Surgery. For the very severe or rapidly advancing cases of ankylosing spondylosis, surgery will be very beneficial. Replacements for the joints and correction of deformities of the spine may be done. These surgeries, however, are risky so they are not a common choice of treatment unless it is very necessary. Alternative or complementary treatments. People may use unconventional forms of medicines to avoid experiencing side effects, or they may use this to complement other treatments to have quicker and better results. Examples of these are: Acupuncture. Pressure is used to stimulate vital points in the body. In this way, the nervous system and the spine will be excited and more chemicals that will lessen pain and inflammation will be produced. Massage. Having regular gentle massage may help reduce the pain and inflammation caused by the spondylosis. It may also lessen the stiffness and improve the blood circulation. Early diagnosis and treatment of ankylosing spondylosis will prevent the disease from inhibiting you to live your life without feeling so much pain, or without being immobile. Several treatment options have been provided. Your job is to talk to a doctor and ask which the best option for you is.