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Degenerative Joint Disease - Alternative Treatments

Degenerative joint disease is also known as osteoarthritis or spondylosis (spinal arthritis). The condition causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation due to wear and tear on the facet joints, which are the joints located between the stacked vertebrae of the spine. While it can be caused by many factors, the main cause is age. Osteoarthritis may occur at any stage in life, but it is widely diagnosed in patients between the ages of 45 and 60. Bone spurs (osteophytes), bulging or herniated discs, and nerve pain can all stem from the breakdown that occurs in and around the facet joint’s cartilage and lubricating fluid. If conservative treatments, such as rest, pain medication, and physical therapy have not decreased your pain resulting from degenerative joint disease, alternative treatments may help you find relief.

Types of Alternative Treatments

Before starting any new course of treatment – especially those with an alternative track – you should consult with a qualified physician or natural health professional and follow all dosage instructions. The following non-surgical alternative treatments may be worth exploring as a potential symptom reliever.

• Herbal treatments and supplements – Herbal extracts, such as the Devil’s Claw, also known as Grapple plant or Wood Spider, from South Africa; and boswella from India, derived from the boswellia serrata tree; have anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce pain when taken three times daily. Glucosamine and chondroitin are also very popular options, but the reduction of degenerative joint disease symptoms with the use of these supplements vary.
• Acupuncture – Acupuncture is a Chinese method of healing, where tiny stainless steel needles are inserted into the body at specific energy-flowing points. The needles stimulate nearby nerves and trigger the brain to release endorphins, blocking pain messages that may be firing.
• Massage – Gentle massage therapy may loosen stiff muscles and help relieve pain.
• Spinal manipulation – Sessions with a chiropractor (a person trained in spinal manipulation and the spine’s relation to a healthy nervous system) may alleviate symptoms of degenerative joint disease.

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Minimally Invasive Treatments

Alternative treatments may or may not bring you relief from your degenerative joint disease symptoms. If you’d like to explore the option of a minimally invasive procedure, contact our orthopedic specialists at Laser Spine Institute. Our highly trained experts employ advanced endoscopic techniques to help treat back and neck pain, including symptoms and conditions resulting from osteoarthritis. Call us today for a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan.

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