Arthritis can be a debilitating disease as the loss of cartilage in the bone joints can be extremely painful as well as limit movement of the joints. In patients with spinal arthritis, the affects can be even more devastating as there are precious few positions in which the patient can find comfort. While the blame for most incidents of spinal arthritis is aging, there is no standard area of the spine, which the disease strikes.

Essentially, spinal arthritis is the same as osteoarthritis in any other joints in the body. The loss of water in the cartilage that cushions the disks in the spine allows the disks to rub together, creating pain and limiting movement. The portion of the spine affected will be different among different patients and spinal arthritis can occur in the cervical spine, the neck area, the lumbar spine, in the lower back or somewhere in between, known as the thoracic are of the spine.

Regardless of where spinal arthritis first develops, it can cause many problems for the patient. In some cases of osteoarthritis, bone spurs form on the affected joints and in the case of spinal arthritis, a bone spur on a disk in the cervical region may make swallowing difficult or even painful.

Treating Spondylosis Without Surgery

For most patients with spondylosis, or spinal arthritis, treatment will not require surgery. In many instances lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutritionally balance diet and proper exercise can help relieve the effects of spinal arthritis. However, some exercises may cause additional damage to certain areas of the spine and should be recommended by a medical professional.

There are some patients who have realized success in relieving the pain of spinal arthritis by wearing a neck brace, but they are not recommended for long-term use. They can provide benefits for a short time, such as a week, but using them over the long haul tends to weaken the back and neck muscles and can actually contribute to additional pain. Bed rest may also be recommended for short-term relief, but continued bed rest can also result in blood clots.

Some alternative treatments such as chiropractic care and acupuncture have shown to offer pain relief to those with spinal arthritis. Persons considering manipulation as a means of therapy should rely on a chiropractor experienced in treating patients with spinal arthritis, insuring the manipulations do not cause additional problems.