A degenerative spine, though it may sound serious, is merely a term that describes a gradual decline in the spine’s anatomy and function, which many people experience when they grow older. As we age, we can develop conditions like ruptured discs, sciatica and osteoarthritis, which may result in uncomfortable symptoms such as neck and back pain, stiffness, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness. Read the following article to learn about the treatments available to help reduce the pain and discomfort that degenerative spine conditions can cause.

Conservative treatments for a degenerative spine

Most people with a degenerative spine will find that nonsurgical treatments sufficiently relieve their symptoms. Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following conservative treatment options:

1. Applying heating pads and ice packs, which can soothe pain and reduce inflammation
2. Physical therapy, which can help you learn to move in ways that reduce the pressure placed on your spine
3. Stretching and/or strength-building exercises, which are good for overall spine health
4. Pain relievers, either over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or prescription
5. Epidural steroid injections, which can reduce severe inflammation

Alternative degenerative spine treatments

Some patients seek out alternative degenerative spine treatments for their back pain. Acupuncture is one alternative remedy that many people claim provides short-term pain relief. Some people take up yoga to help them reduce stress, build muscle and increase flexibility. Others turn to chiropractors, who can manually adjust their patients’ spines to relieve discomfort. However, if you’ve exhausted all of your conservative options without feeling adequate relief, surgery may be the right choice for you.

With today’s medical technology, it’s possible to perform back surgery through a much smaller incision than traditional open spine surgery. The board-certified surgeons+ at USA Spine Care, for instance, perform a number of procedures through a less than 1-inch incision. This means fewer back muscles and tissues are damaged to achieve the same result as a traditional open spine procedure. Contact our dedicated team today with any questions or concerns you may have about our outpatient procedures.

To find out if you’re a candidate for the minimally invasive spine surgery at USA Spine Care, please reach out to us today. As the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, we have helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from their chronic neck and back conditions. We would be happy to provide you with a no-cost MRI review* to determine if one of our procedures could potentially be right for your degenerative spine condition.

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