Arthritis of the spine is a condition that is often unavoidable and can develop in the spine’s facet joints, which allow the spine to bend and twist with ease. Unfortunately, many years of daily wear and tear can cause the cushioning cartilage in the facet joints to wear away, allowing bones to rub against one another. This can lead to inflammation, joint stiffness and bone spurs, and if a bone spur puts pressure on a nearby nerve root, additional painful symptoms can radiate to other areas of the body.

Be smart to avoid aggravating your condition

If you are experiencing arthritis of the spine symptoms, there are a variety of summer activities you may want to avoid because there’s a chance they could increase your pain. This includes high-impact exercises, which can put an excessive amount of pressure on the spine and aggravate the affected area. Some examples of activities to avoid include:

• Jogging
• Soccer
• Football
• Gymnastics
• Heavy lifting

Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption — which can be a popular summer pastime — can also increase arthritis of the spine pain by relaxing the muscles that would otherwise support the spine, potentially increasing the pressure on the affected area.

Exercise alternatives

A spinal arthritis diagnosis doesn’t mean you have to remain sedentary and can’t enjoy your summer. There are plenty of exercise options that won’t put undue pressure on your spine, including walking, swimming, yoga and biking, to name a few. These activities could be part of your treatment regimen, which also may include the use of pain and anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, massage therapy and chiropractic care. As always, be sure to consult your doctor before attempting any strenuous activities.

Arthritis of the spine treatment at USA Spine Care

For severe cases of spinal arthritis that don’t respond to nonsurgical treatment methods, surgery becomes a consideration. While your doctor may recommend a traditional open spine procedure, USA Spine Care offers minimally invasive spine surgery as a safer and effective alternative to open neck or back surgery.^ If you’d like to determine if you are a candidate for our outpatient procedures, we’d be happy to provide a free MRI review.*

Contact USA Spine Care today for additional information about our minimally invasive approach to spinal arthritis treatment.