Spondylosis exercises, performed after consulting with a physician and under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist, can be an effective tool for managing the symptoms of stiffness and nerve compression associated with degenerative spine conditions. In fact, a vigorous, low-impact exercise plan can even help slow the degeneration process or, at the very least, better prepare the body to deal with the inevitable onset of spinal degeneration that comes with age. In general, the better your overall health heading into middle age, the better prepared you’ll be to handle the effects of aging on the spine.

Goals of spondylosis exercises

Whether you currently have spondylosis or you are looking for ways to prevent its onset, low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, aerobics and strength training can be effective. Always talk to a physician to determine your fitness level before undertaking a new exercise regimen. Having a thorough physical exam performed is a good way to determine your exercise goals, which can include:

• Strengthening the “core” muscles of the abdomen, pelvis and thighs to help provide overall support for better posture
• Strengthening the smaller muscles associated with the spine to provide better structural support for the vertebrae
• Improving flexibility at all levels of the spine, particularly in the cervical and lumbar regions
• Improving cardiovascular health to ensure proper blood flow throughout the spine, which enables important fluid transfer at the cellular level
• Avoiding excess body weight or obesity, which places undue stress on the spinal anatomy

Don’t overdo it

While performing spondylosis exercises can be an effective conservative method of treatment for degenerative spine problems such as spondylosis, too much exercise — or the wrong kind of exercise — actually can worsen neck or back pain, which is why it is necessary for your physician to monitor your progress. If conservative treatments, such as exercise, pain medication, physical therapy, or behavior modification, have proven ineffective for managing your spondylosis pain, surgery may become an option.

At USA Spine Care, we offer minimally invasive decompression and stabilization procedures that are a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery.^ Our surgeons use muscle-sparing techniques and utilize small incisions in an outpatient setting. In fact, our minimally invasive spine surgery is a clinically appropriate alternative to traditional open spine surgery.^{^}

Contact us today to learn more about our treatment options. Our team can provide you with a free MRI review* to help determine if you are a candidate for our minimally invasive procedures.

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