1-

• Contact Laser Spine Institute
• Request MRI Review
• Medical Spine Seminar

You are here

• Home
• »
• Spine Conditions

Arthritis of the Spine Can Improve with Alternative Treatments

If you suffer from arthritis of the spine, alternative treatments may be able to help you find pain relief and return you to a more active lifestyle. Alternative treatments encompass a broad range of techniques, but generally speaking they deal with non-surgical methods for managing pain. Before considering surgery for bone spurs, facet joint pain, or any of the other debilitating conditions that can accompany spinal arthritis, work with your doctor to develop a conservative 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 your arthritis of the spine, he or she will help you choose from among the following plans.

• Conservative – Ideal for mild cases of spinal arthritis, conservative treatments can include hot therapy, cold therapy, low-impact exercises like swimming and walking, over-the-counter pain medication, hydrotherapy, or braces.
• Holistic – These types of treatments focus on balancing the body’s overall health, both physical and psychological. Examples include yoga, massage, acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine, biofeedback, and chiropractic work.
• Pain Management – These techniques offer more targeted pain relief for individuals suffering from moderate to severe spinal arthritis. In most cases, it’s best to get a referral for a pain management specialist from your primary care physician. Treatments might include prescription medication, TENS treatment, pain patches, epidural steroid injections, or ultrasound therapy.

More Progressive Treatment Options

If weeks or months of the above non-operative treatment methods do not help you to achieve lasting relief from arthritis pain, your doctor may suggest that you consider surgery. Before committing to any procedure, gather all of the facts about minimally invasive outpatient alternatives. 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 rediscover their lives without back pain. Request your free MRI or CT scan review from Laser Spine Institute today.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.