How to Live with Spinal Arthritis

When we think of arthritis, we often imagine swollen and aching joints in the hands and knees of an elderly person. However, arthritis can also occur, and often does, in the spine? Spinal arthritis can be very painful and debilitating.Spinal osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, meaning that it continues to get worse over time. It occurs when the cartilage of the joints and discs in the neck and lower back wears down. Typically patients who are diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the spine are older than 45. However, chiropractors do see patients under the age of 45 with degenerative arthritis. This can be caused by a number of reasons that usually involve some sort of trauma. These occurrences might include:• A car wreck, including a seemingly mild fender bender• A sports injury• A birth canal injury• Constant, repetitive motion that stresses the spinal canalThe spinal facet joints in the lower back are prone to developing osteoarthritis. The joints are quite small compared to the amount of body weight they bear. The resulting stress and strain makes them susceptible to damage to the cartilage, and injury. The accumulation of injuries over a lifetime causes the joints to break down, or degenerate.What can you do to help keep the pain for spinal arthritis from getting worse?Neck and back exercises to build strengthThese exercises can help keep the spine strong and limber. Increased muscle strength better supports arthritic joints and keeps undue stress off of them. Inexpensive devices that add resistance, such as exercise bands, can be used, in addition to resistance and weight machines.Low impact aerobic activitiesThese activities keep the lungs and circulation systems in shape, as well as helping control weight. Popular activities that do not place undue stress on the spine include walking, stationary cycling and exercising in the water (e.g. water therapy or pool therapy).Range of motion exercisesThese exercises are focused on keeping the back joints limber, relieving stiffness and maintaining normal joint motion in the back. These may include bending sideways, forward, and backward.Make sure you have a chiropractor assess your injury if you knowingly have one occur. Regular chiropractic care can help alleviate the severe pain, loss of sensation, weakness and tenderness of osteoarthritis. Getting adjusted and being aware of maintaining proper posture will also help the degeneration from happening so quickly.