Spondyslosis refers to normal "use and aging" damage along the spinal discs in the neck and back. As a chronic and degenerative condition, there is no permanent cure. However, there are many different forms of treatment that you can rely on to relieve your spondylosis pain and other associated symptoms.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Home Care
Step 1. Take over-the-counter painkillers
In particular, consider over-the-counter NSAIDs and analgesics. If your pain is only mild, this medication may be enough to dull it.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) treat pain and inflammation associated with spondyslosis. These drugs include ibuprofen and naproxen.
- Analgesics are just painkillers, not anti-inflammatory. One common example of an analgesic is acetaminophen.
- Although NSAIDs are usually the most effective drugs for treating spondylolic pain, you should not use them if you have asthma, high blood pressure, liver disease, heart disease, or a history of peptic ulcer. Analgesics are a safer option in these situations.
Step 2. Try a topical medication
Topical painkillers are usually available in cream form and are massaged directly at the site of pain.
- Some topical medications contain aspirin, which is an anti-pain and anti-inflammatory.
- Other topical medications contain capsaicin. These creams usually warm the wound area, and the heat also contributes to reducing pain.
Step 3. Use heat or ice
When the pain first appears, place an ice pack on the back of the neck. If the pain persists after 12-24 hours, replace it with a heating pad or other heat source.
- Ice can reduce inflammation and swelling. Because inflammation is most severe at the onset of pain, ice is recommended during this period.
- Heat can relax sore muscles, so it's an appropriate treatment if you're more concerned about pain than inflammation.
Step 4. Exercise regularly
Your body needs rest, but regular low-impact aerobic exercise can actually help you heal faster.
- Continuous bed rest can actually increase the time it takes for the body to recover from spondylosis.
- Avoid sports or activities that require you to stretch your back and neck more than usual. For example, any task that requires lifting heavy objects should be prohibited until you are healed.
- Yoga and walking are two of the best light impact sports. Swimming can be another great option as long as it's slow and not competitive.
Step 5. Use a padded neck support
You can get a padded neck brace from a pharmacy or doctor. Place it around your neck for a few hours to give your muscles a chance to rest.
However, this brace should only be used for a short period of time, as it can cause neck muscles to weaken from immobility
Step 6. Support your back with pillows
Try to sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs, especially if the pain is in your mid to low back.
- There are pillows specifically designed for this function, but if you can't find a store that sells these pillows, just use the fullest pillow you have in your bed.
- You can also purchase a special pillow for the neck to provide additional support when dealing with neck pain.
- Pillows change the direction of your spine, provide additional support and keep your neck straight while you rest.
Step 7. Make the necessary lifestyle changes
The way you are currently living your life may make your spondysosis worse. Stopping activities that can make the condition worse is an important part of treatment.
- For example, if your job requires manual labor and heavy lifting, consider looking for a lighter job.
- If you are obese or overweight, losing weight can take some of the pressure off your neck and back.
- If you are a current smoker, breaking this habit can make it easier for your body to support and heal itself.
- You should also consider your posture. If you slouch while sitting or standing, try to improve your posture and keep your back and neck straight.
Method 2 of 4: Medication from a Doctor's Prescription
Step 1. Find out about over-the-counter painkillers
There are several types of strong over-the-counter painkillers that your doctor may prescribe to treat the pain associated with this condition when over-the-counter medications are no longer sufficient.
- Your doctor may recommend narcotic-based painkillers, such as hydrocodone or oxycodone.
- Prescription NSAIDs are another option.
- Doctors may choose to prescribe codeine. This is a mild opiate painkiller, which is often taken with NSAIDs or analgesics. Codeine is POSSIBLY UNSAFE if you have asthma or have a history of head injury.
Step 2. Take muscle relaxants
If you have muscle spasms, your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants to help relieve and reduce spasms.
- Common muscle relaxants include cyclobenzaprine and methocarbamol.
- Note that muscle relaxants should not be taken continuously for more than 7-10 days. Prolonged use beyond this period of time can severely weaken the muscles.
Step 3. Ask about anti-seizure medications
Research suggests that some epilepsy medications can help dull and relieve pain associated with nerve damage.
Antiseizure drugs that are often prescribed for patients with spondylosis include gabapentin and pregabalin
Step 4. Consider antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants, in particular, have been shown to be effective for treating chronic neck and back pain when used in low doses.
- Common examples include amitriptyline and doxepin.
- Duloxetine, another type of antidepressant, has also been used to treat chronic pain conditions.
Step 5. Learn about steroid injections
If you have severe pain, your doctor may choose to treat you with a quick-acting steroid injection.
- Prednisone and numbing agents are generally injected directly into the area of pain.
- The numbing agent immediately numbs the pain associated with your condition. Steroids act as long-lasting anti-inflammatory and painkillers.
Method 3 of 4: Other Nonsurgical Medical Treatment
Step 1. Work with a physical therapist
A professional physical therapist can help you stretch and strengthen your neck and shoulder muscles. These exercises will be guided by a therapist at first but can eventually be done in your own home.
- Physical therapy is usually recommended for chronic pain that has lasted for several weeks without responding to other treatments.
- Depending on your specific condition, physical therapy may also include techniques that use heat or electrical stimulation to relieve spasms and severe pain.
- Massage therapy can also be included in your physical therapy regimen. A professional massage therapist will massage your back muscles to soothe and relax them after you have worked them out.
Step 2. Try chiropractic spinal manipulation
If your pain is chronic and severe, chiropractic manipulation may be recommended. A trained professional will manipulate the back joints in a way that will correct any misalignment and relieve pain.
This treatment is not recommended if you have spinal-related inflammatory arthritis because of the increased risk of spinal cord damage
Step 3. Find out about acupuncture
Acupuncture is an alternative and untested treatment, but some patients claim that acupuncture helps.
- Make sure you schedule an appointment with a professional acupuncturist if you decide to have this treatment.
- Very thin needles are inserted into specific areas of the body. The idea is to balance the "chi" flowing throughout the body, and relieve pain in the process.
Method 4 of 4: Surgery
Step 1. Know when surgery may be necessary
Nonsurgical treatment is successful in at least 75 percent of cases of spondylosis, but in some cases, surgery is necessary.
- If you begin to develop neurological deficits, such as loss of bowel or bladder control, surgery will likely be considered your best option. Loss of feeling or function in the arms, legs, soles of the feet, and fingers can be another sign of a neurological deficit.
- In this condition, there is a pinched nerve or a compressed spine. Major damage to the nervous system can become more severe if this condition is not corrected.
Step 2. Talk to your doctor about spinal decompression surgery
Spinal decompression surgery is a general term used to describe a variety of different surgical procedures that can relieve pressure on the spine. You will need to work with your doctor to determine the best technique for your condition.
- In a laminectomy, the bony arch of the spinal canal called the “lamina” is removed, reducing the size of the spinal canal.
- In laminoplasty, the lamina is not removed but is cut along one side of the spinal cord.
- Discectomy is a technique that partially removes an intervertebral disc that previously compressed a nerve root or spinal canal.
- With foraminotomy and framinectomy, the opening through which the nerve roots exit the spinal canal is widened by removal of tissue.
- You may have an osteophyte removal, in which a bony prominence is physically removed from the area where it caused a pinched nerve.
- In a corpectomy, the surgeon will remove the entire body of the vertebra and the disc.
Step 3. Learn about other, less common surgical procedures
In addition to surgical decompression, your doctor may also recommend spinal fusion or prosthetic intervertebral disc replacement.
- In fusion surgery, the vertebrae that are responsible for pinching the spinal cord nerves are joined together to prevent them from moving again.
- Prosthetic intervertebral disc replacement is a fairly new surgical operation. The torn disc in the spine is removed and an artificial disc is placed as a replacement.
Step 4. Keep an eye on your health during the healing stage
Your doctor and/or physical therapist will give you instructions after the surgery. It is important to follow these instructions if you want to heal properly.
- Take any painkillers prescribed by your doctor. Report any side effects to the doctor.
- Work with a physical therapist to find out which home exercises you should be doing to support and strengthen your back and abdominal muscles.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects or any physical activity that can put a strain on your back or neck.
- Maintain a healthy weight and quit smoking.
- Call your doctor right away if your symptoms change, get worse, or persist.
