If you suffer from arthritis of the spine, alternative treatments may be available to provide pain relief and a return to a more active lifestyle. Alternative treatments encompass a broad range of techniques, but generally speaking, they are non-surgical methods for managing pain. Before considering surgery for bone spurs, facet joint pain, or any other debilitating conditions that can accompany spinal arthritis, consult a physician to develop a conservative personal treatment plan.
Types of Alternative Treatments
While there are a wide variety of alternative methods available for the treatment of spine pain, not all approaches will work for everyone. Once your doctor has determined the severity of the spinal arthritis, he or she will help you choose from among the following plans:
- Conservative is useful for treatment of mild to moderate spinal arthritis. Therapy may include hot therapy, cold therapy, low-impact exercises like swimming and walking, over-the-counter pain medication, hydrotherapy, or braces.
- Holistic therapies focus on balancing the body’s overall health, both physical and psychological. Example therapies include yoga, massage, acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine, biofeedback, and chiropractic work.
- Pain management techniques offer more targeted pain relief for individuals suffering from moderate to severe spinal arthritis. In most cases, patients are referred to a pain management specialist by their primary care physician. Treatments might include prescription medication, TENS treatment, pain medication patches, epidural steroid injections, or ultrasound therapy.
More progressive treatment options
If weeks or months of conservative therapy have failed to achieve lasting relief from arthritis pain, your doctor may suggest surgery. Before committing to any surgical procedure, gather all of the facts concerning traditional and minimally invasive surgical procedures. Consider the risks, benefits, outcomes, and convalescent periods required by each type procedure. . For more information, contact Laser Spine Institute. Our orthopedic experts are standing by to tell you about our state-of-the-art endoscopic techniques that have helped tens of thousands of people recover spinal health. Request a complimentary review of your current MRI or CT scan from Laser Spine Institute today.
