If you have been diagnosed with arthritic spine, you may be worried that you will have to have a surgical procedure to correct the problem. However, there are many non-surgical treatments for this issue that have proven to be very effective. Here are a few of them.
Rest
Any treatment plan for arthritic spine will typically include a great deal of rest. This is true whether you have a job requiring manual exertion or you sit in front of a computer all day. It is extremely important that you take breaks on a regular basis and know the signals your body gives you that it is time to slow down or stop what you are doing. Resting reduces the amount of stress put on your muscles and joints, and can also relieve pain. You will probably need to either minimize certain activities or reduce their intensity until you are able to strengthen the muscles in the affected area.
Hot and Cold Therapy
If you have arthritic spine, you will more than likely find that applying hot packs or warm towels to the area, or taking warm baths or showers more often, will help bring relief. Heat is very effective in helping to reduce inflammation and swelling, as well as improving circulation. In some instances, however, cold packs can also bring relief.
Try applying heat for about 20 minutes before exercising, and then follow that up with a cold pack once you have finished. Your doctor can let you know if heat, cold or a combination of the two approaches will be best.
Medications
There are several types of medications that can help with symptoms associated with arthritic spine. Over-the-counter drugs such as Tylenol can relieve pain, which others such as aspirin or ibuprofen can reduce inflammation. Creams and certain nutritional supplements, such as chondroitin and glucosamine, can bring relief as well.
If arthritic spine has affected your quality of life, talk to the experts with Advanced Spine and Orthopedics so we can help determine the right treatment plan for you. Contact us online or call 817-310-8783 to schedule an appointment.
