Arthritis is a condition that is usually associated only with the knees. In truth, arthritis can affect any joint, including the joints of the spinal column. The spinal column is a collection of 33 bones that are stacked one on top of the other. The bottom 9 vertebrae are fused together and do not move. The upper 24 vertebrae are capable of movement. This is because they are not fused together and are instead separated from each other by inter-vertebral discs. These inter-vertebral discs are cartilaginous discs that allow the spine to move without the bones rubbing against each other. More importantly, they allow the spine to branch out and send nerves to other parts of the body.
Spinal arthritis is the condition when the inter-vertebral discs get worn and do not function as they should. This can be caused due to age-related factors, injury, or an autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s own immune system to attack the cartilage.
The most common reasons for arthritis in the spine are age and injury. Even injury to the spine during one’s youth can result in arthritis in middle age. This is because the cartilage does not heal well, and unless proper physiotherapy is done, the healing may not be complete. The other reason for arthritis in the spine is rheumatoid arthritis, which is when the body’s own immune system attacks the spine. There’s nothing much that can be done about avoiding rheumatoid arthritis because nobody knows exactly what causes it, but proper exercise of the spine and avoiding injury can prevent arthritis in spine.
The usual symptoms of arthritis are inflammation and pain. When the cartilage that separates the bones of the spine is injured, it can cause the disc to compress. This, in turn, results in more pressure being put on the spinal column on the inside. Depending on the nerves that are compressed, it can cause pain down the shoulders and arm or even the leg. Another common symptom will be a reduction in the movement of the spine in certain directions. This can be accompanied sometimes by an urge to urinate frequently as well as a feeling of numbness in the arms or legs.
Arthritis is incurable. Whether it be osteoarthritis or the rheumatoid, there’s nothing that anyone can do about it. There are, however, management techniques that can help deal with arthritis. For example, physiotherapy is one of the best ways to manage arthritis in spine because it helps alleviate some of the pain, and even restores movement. Although the damage done can sometimes never be rectified, exercise can help to control the degeneration of the spine and can even arrest the progress of the disease. Sometimes, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are prescribed to control the inflammation and the pain. People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis will need other medication to control their immune system because the root cause of their disease is their own immune system. Stretching exercises are considered the best, and studies have showed that normal stretching exercises are just as good as yoga when it comes to physical benefits.
Everything depends on the extent of the damage done and the age of the person. If a person is relatively young and the damage is not too much, there is a good chance that just physiotherapy and exercise can not only arrest the progress but can even start a healing process of the cartilage. If the damage is too much or if age is a problem, the prognosis is not so good. Yet, with proper exercise, it is possible to regain most of the movement of the spine and even control the pain without any painkillers.
Some believe that organic, non-medicinal methods to control the disease give better long-term prognosis than medication to treat the problem. However, this is controversial, and it is always better to consult a doctor.
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