As you age, spine health conditions like spondylosis become a possibility that puts your wellness at risk. Also known as the spine osteoarthritis, this wear-and-tear of the spinal disc bones is an age-related condition that can cause constant pain and discomfort, making it difficult to carry on with your daily activities.
If you’re currently having this pain in your neck and want to find treatment for it in New York, NY Pain Medicine Associate is your best option. Keep on reading to learn about the causes and treatment for this condition.
Spondylosis is a condition that normally appears with age, mainly caused by a wear-and-tear effect on the soft structures and bones that support the spine. Even though it can affect any part of it, spondylosis is mostly common in the higher and lower sections of the spine, the cervical and lumbar areas. Spondylosis can appear as the degeneration and loss of height of the intervertebral discs that support the spine as shock absorbers, or as an arthritic effect on the facet joints and the ligaments that stabilize your spine, causing difficulties when walking, standing up or sitting.
Spondylosis patients’ symptoms are commonly not severe, but if this condition is left untreated, it might end up needing a surgical intervention. This condition often manifests as these following signs:
As the years go by, the structure that supports your backbone and neck changes, and sometimes these changes could mean that you’re developing spondylosis. Some of the causes behind this spine condition include:
After turning 40, your spinal discs start drying out and losing their function as the cushions between the vertebrae of the spine. When it completely dries out and the bones start touching each other directly, it can lead to spondylosis, causing chronic back and neck pain along with a reduced range of motion.
The herniation of the spinal discs often manifests as cracks on the exterior of them, leading to the soft interior of the discs squeezing through the gaps and pressing on the spinal cord, leading to or boosting the symptoms of spondylosis.
Also known as osteophytes, bone spurs are extra growths of bones that appear as small lumps, they are produced by your body in an attempt to repair tissue damage, or as a stress response. Although they don’t always cause symptoms that could lead to spondylosis, they are the common reasons behind pain, stiffness and lack of coordination.
Your ligaments are cords of tissue that connect each bone in your spine, and as the years go by, they can narrow your spinal canal. They can lose their elasticity and range of motion, becoming stiff and thick.
Your treatment for this condition will depend on how the symptoms are manifesting and the specific area of the spine where they appear. Initial measures often include at-home methods like cold therapies and small physical exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the spine, but if it doesn’t reduce the pain, other treatment options like the following are considered:
When your neck and back pain are interfering with your daily life and your at-home treatments aren’t enough to find relief, booking a consultation with a doctor is ideal. If you’re in New York, contact NY Pain Medicine Associate’s office and schedule your appointment to assess your symptoms. Our team is ready to help you get back on track, pain-free.