Spondylosis Treatment: Therapy, Symptoms & Causes

Spondylosis Symptoms

Spondylosis is the most common form of spine bone degeneration that begins to affect people from middle age onwards. More than 85% of people older than age 60 are affected by spondylosis. Spondylosis is usually asymptomatic. Symptoms show up when a bone spur pinches a nerve, or simply begin with pain and stiffness.

Spondylosis is generally asymptomatic in its early stages, but as it progresses, various symptoms can emerge. To provide a clearer picture, the symptoms are discussed in two parts: Lumbar Spondylosis and Cervical Spondylosis.

Lumbar Spondylosis

Lumbar spondylosis affects the lower back and can lead to a range of symptoms that impact daily activities:

Lower Back Pain and Stiffness:

Lower back pain is known to be persistent and experienced mostly when you have sat or overexerted the muscles.
Morning joint stiffness that worsens toward the end of the day. This discomfort may require targeted spondylosis treatment aimed at providing neck and back pain relief.

Radiating Leg Pain:

For those with nerve root irritation or stenosis, symptoms may include pain in the lower back, possibly with numbness in the buttocks, thighs, or legs.
Non-surgical spondylosis treatment methods, such as physical therapy for spondylosis and exercise for spondylosis, can help alleviate this pain.

Muscle Weakness and Reduced Mobility:

Lumbar spondylosis results in stiffness, inability to stand for a long time, and overall reduction in functional capabilities.
A comprehensive spondylosis therapy program is recommended to improve joint mobility.

Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis affects the neck and the structures in that region. Its symptoms often include:

Neck Pain and Stiffness:

Some of the symptoms of this syndrome are chronic neck pain, which is made worse by movement in any way.
This is frequently managed by a combination of spondylosis therapy and cervical spondylosis therapy, which may include posture correction and targeted exercises.

Radiating Pain and Neurological Deficits:

The pain may extend to the shoulders and arms when the bone spurs affect the nerves in the neck area. A patient may also feel the development of tingly or numbing sensations that may affect the limbs of their body.
Severe conditions may cause symptoms of cervical myelopathy, like clumsiness or weakness of the hands.

Headaches and Dizziness:

Conditions such as neck stiffness also lead to headaches, as well as ringing of the ears or dizziness.
These symptoms may be alleviated through consistent use of spondylosis relief therapy, medication, and physical rehabilitation.

Impact on Daily Functioning:

Abnormality of the neck and its pain and inability to be moved, together with neurological signs such as instability and problems in walking, significantly impact quality of life.
Loss of bladder and bowel movement (Cauda Equina syndrome)

Professional diagnosis required
Chronic, can last for years
Treatable with 4 weeks of QI Spine Therapy

Spondylosis Causes

Spondylosis is caused primarily by:

Bone and muscle degeneration
Disc degeneration: This causes bone spurs that add friction to spinal movements
Poor posture and sitting incorrectly
Spinal injury or partial disc dislocation
Sedentary lifestyle

Professional diagnosis required
Chronic, can last for years
Treatable with 4 weeks of QI Spine Therapy

Spondylosis Treatment

Spondylosis cannot be cured, but milder cases can be managed with conservative treatment, which includes:

Spine Rehabilitation
Physical therapy
Medication
Heat and cold therapy

Advanced Spondylosis pain management involves:

Cell Repair Treatment: This uses frequency-specific micro-currents that relieve pain in the affected area.
Surgery: Only recommended in the case of cervical myelopathy (spine compression near the neck)
Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, like ibuprofen or aspirin, opioid pain relievers, and muscle relaxants may help.

Preventive care

Often breaks from activities that put strain on your neck or spine
Exercising and stretching daily, under your spine doctor’s guidance
Follow posture correction methods

Professional diagnosis required
Chronic, can last for years
Treatable with 4 weeks of QI Spine Therapy

Spondylosis cannot be cured but milder cases can be managed with conservative treatment which includes:

Spine Rehabilitation
Physical therapy
Medication

Advanced pain management involves:

Cell Repair Treatment: This uses frequency specific micro-currents that relieves pain in the affected area.
Surgery: Only recommended in the case of cervical myelopathy (spine compression near the neck)

Professional diagnosis required
Chronic, can last for years
Treatable with 4 weeks of QI Spine Therapy

Diagnosis of Spondylosis

Diagnosing spondylosis involves a thorough and systematic approach to determine the extent of spinal degeneration and guide effective spondylosis treatment. This process helps in planning appropriate spondylosis therapy to alleviate symptoms and prevent further progression of the disease.

Clinical Evaluation

To diagnose spondylosis, the first thing the doctor will do is review the patient’s medical history and perform a physical examination. To understand your pain history doctor will ask questions regarding working and other activities, movements, or positions that are linked with the development of the condition. When assessing you, the following physical examination processes will be followed:

Assess Symptoms:

Ask the patient regarding complaints of pain in the neck and back, stiffness, and difficulty moving around. Such symptoms often warrant further investigation for conditions like degenerative disc disease and spinal osteoarthritis management.

Neurological Examination:

Analysis for any signs of nerve compression, be it in the form of tingling, numbness, or weakness, as it will mean a spinal component is present.

These details are essential for planning a holistic spondylosis therapy strategy that often incorporates exercise for spondylosis and ergonomic modifications.

Imaging Studies and Laboratory Tests

As a result of this, several image studies are usually done to confirm the diagnosis:

X-Rays, MRI, and CT Scans:

These can also be used to visualise bone spurs, joint spaces, and disc conditions to support conclusions of spinal degeneration.

MRI scans, in particular, are useful for assessing soft tissue and confirming the presence of spinal inflammation that requires non-surgical spondylosis treatment.

Laboratory Tests:

This is supported by the blood tests, which may be conducted to first find out whether the patient has elevated inflammatory markers and rule out other inflammatory diseases.

QI Spine’s Diagnosis Approach

At QI Spine, the diagnosis is made by asking about the patient’s history, conducting a thorough physical examination, and doing a DSA (Digital Spine Analysis test), which helps analyze the root cause of the problem. It is a non-invasive functional test that helps in measuring spine function. Its controlled and guided movements help in determining the mobility of the spine, strength, and imbalances of muscles around the spine.

CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays often fail to pinpoint the exact source of pain, whereas DSA directly analyzes muscle tissue to identify the root cause. Here is how DSA is conducted & its benefits:

You’re asked to perform specific movements
Sensors and scanners map out how your spine reacts
The data is visualized digitally and interpreted by a doctor

Non-invasive and radiation-free
Quick and painless
Offers real-time insights
Enhances accuracy in diagnosis and treatment planning

Professional diagnosis required
Chronic, can last for years
Treatable with 4 weeks of QI Spine Therapy

Request Appointment

Spondylosis