- Symptoms of spondyloarthrosis
- Treatment for spondyloarthrosis
- Physiotherapy
- How to live with spondyloarthrosis
Spondyloarthrosis is a type of arthrosis that causes a series of changes in the lumbar, cervical or dorsal spine, affecting bones, ligaments, intervertebral disc and nerves, which causes pain and is often disabling.
In spondyloarthrosis, the intervertebral disc may become deformed causing a herniated disc and, in addition, the spinal ligaments become loose, generating typical symptoms of the disease that include pain that worsens with movement.
Its treatment must be guided by the orthopedist, who may indicate the use of anti-inflammatory drugs to take, inject into the joint or pass through the skin. In addition, physical therapy is very useful, being effective in relieving symptoms and improving the person's quality of life.
Symptoms of spondyloarthrosis
The symptoms of spondyloarthrosis are related to where it is located, in the cervical, dorsal or lumbar region. Some of these symptoms are:
- Back pain, which worsens with movements and tends to improve with rest; Back pain that radiates to the legs or arms, if there is impairment of the peripheral nervous system; Decreased muscle strength; Lack of flexibility.
The diagnosis is made with exams such as x-rays, magnetic resonance or computed tomography.
Treatment for spondyloarthrosis
Treatment for spondyloarthrosis can be done with medications to relieve pain and discomfort, but physical therapy is essential. If the pain is disabling or does not subside with physical therapy, surgery may be used.
Other treatments such as acupuncture, relaxing massages and osteopathy are also excellent options to complement the treatment, but it is best to adopt several treatments at the same time because they complement each other.
Physiotherapy
In physiotherapy for spondyloarthrosis, you can do exercises to improve posture, use devices to relieve pain and discomfort, and do stretches, which will improve blood supply and improve range of motion.
To complement the treatment, one must lose weight, avoid lifting weights and make great efforts, so as not to further damage the spine. Therapeutic and relaxing massages can also be helpful, as can taking painkillers and anti-inflammatories on days of greatest pain.
The work of physiotherapy is capable of relieving the symptoms of spondyloarthrosis, but it is a progressive and degenerative disease and, probably, the individual should have several physiotherapy sessions during his life.
Check out some homemade strategies for back pain relief:
How to live with spondyloarthrosis
In order to live better with spondyloarthrosis, well-oriented physical activity is the best way to accept and learn to live with spondyloarthrosis, which is an orthopedic disease that despite having no cure, has treatment to control its symptoms.
It is important to find the best way to get around the pain and the limitations that this disease causes and some useful tips are relaxation massages, muscle stretching exercises and walking, although sometimes surgery may be indicated to reduce discomfort and stop your speed of disease progression.
Spondyloarthrosis can be controlled and it is possible to spend days without feeling pain, but for this it is necessary to follow the instructions of the doctor and the physiotherapist. Making no effort, losing weight and avoiding bad posture are guidelines that must be followed daily.
Exercises such as Pilates on the ground or in the pool, help to reduce pain and improve range of motion. But it is important that these exercises are performed under the guidance of a specialized physiotherapist to avoid further damage to the spine. Hydrotherapy is also a great ally because it associates stretching with breathing movements, and warm water facilitates movement and promotes muscle relaxation.
