Spondylosis exercises, performed after consulting with a doctor and under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist, can be an effective way to manage the symptoms of stiffness and nerve compression associated with degenerative spine conditions. In fact, a vigorous low-impact exercise regimen can even help slow the degeneration process – or, at the very least, better prepare the body to deal with the virtually inevitable onset of spinal degeneration that comes with age. In general, the better your overall health heading into middle age, the better prepared you’ll be to handle the effects of aging on the spine.
Goals of Spondylosis Exercises
Whether you currently suffer from spondylosis or you are looking for ways to prevent its onset, low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, aerobics, and light weight training can be effective. Always talk to a doctor to gauge your fitness before undertaking a new exercise regimen. A thorough physical is a good way to determine your exercise goals, which can include:
- Strengthening the “core” muscles of the abdomen, pelvis, and thighs to help provide overall support for better posture.
- Strengthening the smaller muscles associated with the spine to provide better structural support for the vertebrae.
- Improving flexibility at all levels of the spine, particularly in the cervical and lumbar regions.
- Improving cardiovascular health to ensure proper blood flow throughout the spine, which enables important fluid transfer at the cellular level.
- Avoiding excess body weight or obesity, which places undue stress on the spinal anatomy.
Don’t Overdo It
While spondylosis exercises can be an effective conservative method of treatment for degenerative spine problems, too much exercise – or the wrong kind of exercise – actually can exacerbate back or neck pain. If conservative treatments such as exercise, pain medication, physical therapy, or behavior modification have proven ineffective for managing your spondylosis pain, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn how a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure performed using safe, effective endoscopic techniques can help you rediscover your life without back or neck pain.
