An estimated 90% of individuals aged 60 and over develop spondylosis. Many don’t even know they have this degenerative condition unless they begin to experience persistent neck or back pain.
At New Tampa Interventional Pain and Sports Medicine, our highly skilled pain management specialist Jose De La Torre offers comprehensive care for spondylosis pain.
He uses advanced technology to diagnose the severity of the condition and creates a pain management plan to keep you active and pain-free.
Spondylosis is a degenerative arthritis condition that affects the joints and discs of the spine. Pain and range of motion issues can develop in your back or neck as a result of arthritic joint changes.
People with spondylosis experience degenerative joint changes, including the wearing away of the protective cartilage that lines the ends of the joint bones. Your discs may also dry out and be less capable of absorbing the shocks of your spinal movements.
Risk for spondylosis increases as you get older. You might also be more susceptible to the condition if you work in a manual labor job, are obese, or live a sedentary lifestyle.
Smokers might also develop spondylosis at an earlier age because cigarette smoking can prematurely dry out spinal discs and contribute to the breakdown of cartilage and vertebrae.
The changes spondylosis causes can lead to even more serious spine issues, including the herniation of dehydrated discs. When a disc herniates, the soft, gel-like center of the disc pushes out through the tough outer layer and can press on nearby nerves.
Other side effects of spondylosis can include:
Although many people with spondylosis will not experience these issues, those who do have options for the successful management of their symptoms.
Our pain management specialists offer several nonsurgical treatment strategies to ease spine and nerve-related pain, so you can live a full life. We also offer guidance to protect your long-term spine health.
There’s nothing you can do to prevent spondylosis from developing, but you can lower your risk factors for experiencing spondylosis complications. Here are a few tips to consider:
Foods that support long-term bone health are rich in vitamin D and calcium. To keep your bones strong, include more cheese, yogurt, and green, leafy vegetables into your meal plans.
You might also benefit from adding vitamin D and calcium supplements into your diet to ensure your body gets the nutrients it needs.
Getting sufficient amounts of protein also supports the absorption of calcium by your bones.
Engaging in strength-training and weight-bearing exercises can build stronger bones.
Put together a routine that includes strength-training activities like working with resistance bands or riding a stationary bike. Weight-bearing exercises include climbing stairs, lifting free weights, and aerobic activities.
Being overweight or obese puts unnecessary pressure on the structures of your spine that can ultimately worsen spondylosis-related symptoms.
If you have difficulties losing weight on your own, speak with our medical team about the strategies you can use to successfully shed extra pounds and keep extra weight off for good.
Call New Tampa Interventional Pain and Sports Medicine in Wesley Chapel, Florida, today to schedule a consultation for persistent neck or back pain. You can also book an appointment online.
