WHAT IT IS?

Degenerative changes in the spine such as degenerating intervertebral discs and bone spurs between the vertebrae are called spondylosis. Spondylosis is a condition that causes deterioration of the vertebrae, discs, and ligaments in the spine.

Frequently spondylosis is also called osteoarthritis.

Spondylosis can occur in the lumbar spine (low back), cervical spine (neck) or thoracic spine (upper and mid back).

The most common is a lumbar and cervical form of spondylosis.

Thoracic spondylosis, on the other hand, frequently does not cause symptoms.

Lumbosacral spondylosis is spondylosis that affects both the sacral and the lumbar spine (sacral spine is below the lumbar spine, in the midline between the buttocks).

Multilevel spondylosis involves the changes that affect multiple vertebrae in the spine.

There can be very many causative factors predisposing and making a person more susceptible to spondylitis, such as:

• Conditions like the congenitally fused spine, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, etc. may be risk factors for spondylotic disease.
• People who constantly work by bending their necks because their work demands minute concentration.
• Bike users and computer professionals are more susceptible to spondylitis
• Travelers who travel frequently long distances and sleep in a sitting position
• Repeated occupational trauma e.g., carrying loads on the head, professional dancing, gymnastics may contribute.
• Predisposition to development of spondylitis has been reported from certain families; a genetic cause is possible.
• Smoking also may cause spondylosis.
• Telephone operators or persons who often hold the phone on their shoulder
• Drivers who keep the neck in the same position for a long time, the habit of holding neck in one position, watching TV in abnormal positions or when lying down
• Aging

The general cause of spondylosis is daily worn of ligaments, discs, etc.

These changes affect people differently, depending on each individual’s risk factors.

Risk factors include:

• Smoking
• The job which demands repetitive or weight-bearing movements that involve the spine
• Mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression
• Prostatic arthritis
• Genetic tendency
• Obesity or being overweight
• A sedentary lifestyle with a lack of exercise
• Injury To spine or previous spinal surgery
  
  

Age-related spondylosis does not showcase any symptoms. Some people have symptoms for a while, but then they go away. A sudden movement, sometimes, can trigger symptoms.

Following certain movements, while sitting for a long time or for being still for long periods without moving, for example, worsen the most common symptoms of stiffness and mild pain.

More severe symptoms include:

• muscle spasms and pain
• headaches
• loss of balance and difficulty walking
• a grinding or popping feeling when moving the spine
• weakness in the hands or legs
• poor coordination
• loss of bladder or bowel control

Doctors usually prescribe physiotherapy for any sort of neck or back pain which does not resolve on its own after a few weeks. Physiotherapy for lumbar spondylosis is often prescribed for chronic back or neck pain for muscle strengthening and stretching. Physiotherapists demonstrate specific exercises which, when performed daily, helps to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles and prevent recurrent pain. Physical exercise, like walking and yoga on a regular basis, have been shown in studies to be beneficial for chronic back pain.

Physiotherapy for lumbar spondylosis involves mainly three main components: education, passive treatments, and active treatments.

A physiotherapist uses passive treatments to relax your body and to decrease inflammation or acute pain. This doesn’t require active participation, hence the name.

Passive Treatments for Spondylosis

Deep Tissue Massage: This technique targets chronic muscle tension and spasm that perhaps develops through daily life stress and could be also because of sprains or strains. The therapist uses direct pressure and friction of fingers to try to release the tension in your soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles).

Hot and Cold Therapies:  Lumbar physiotherapy will alternate between hot and cold therapies. By using heat, the physiotherapist for lumbar pain seeks to get more blood to the target area because increased blood flow brings more nutrients and oxygen to that area and helps in the easy recovery.
Cold therapy which is also called cryotherapy, on the other hand, slows circulation, helping to reduce I muscle spasms,   and pain.

Electrical stimulation: This method can be performed within the clinic and if extremely successful, E-stimulation stimulates muscles through variable and of electrical current. It helps reduce muscle spasms, reduce inflammation, bring in healing properties, and it may increase your body’s production of endorphins, your natural pain killers.

Active Treatments for Spondylosis

In the active part of physiotherapy for lumbar pain, To improve your strength, core stability, flexibility, and range of motion (how easily your joints move), your therapist will teach your various exercises. But we can generally say that you may learn about body mechanics—how to move your body so that you don’t increase your pain. You’ll learn how to avoid positions that exacerbate your pain. You may also learn about correcting your posture and how to use good ergonomics at work.

• Quadruped arm/leg raises: Begin on your hands and knees. Tighten your abdomen, raise one arm and the opposite leg. Hold this pose for five seconds and then repeat with the opposite arm and leg.
• Double-knee to chest: Start with the knees bent and feet flat against the floor. Tighten the abdomen to push the low back against the floor and lift both legs off the ground and pull them to the chest. Hold the pose for five seconds then lower the legs back down to the ground.
• Pelvic tilt: While performing this exercise one has to lie on their backs with the knees bent and the feet flat against the floor. Focus on pressing the low back flat against the floor and pull your belly button towards the spine using your abdominal muscles. Hold the position for 10 to 15 seconds, and then relax.

Here are a few reasons to choose Care-24:

• We Treat You Like Family
• We Use High-End Technology
• You Will Always Receive a Personalized Experience

We Offer Competitive and Fair Pricing