If your body endures many aches and pains in the back and neck, this could be a result of years of wear and tear on the body leading to a condition called spondylosis.
Pain medication will undoubtedly mask the pain for some time, however, it will not correct the underlying issue. Chiropractic treatment will not only ease your pain but heal your underlying condition and provide long-lasting relief.
What Is Spondylosis?
Spondylosis is also known as arthritis of the spine and can occur due to age-related changes. There are fluid-filled discs in between every thirty-three vertebrae that absorb shock, cushion the joints, and help to maintain the integrity of the spine.
As the aging process occurs, the discs begin to shrink and dehydrate, which results in less shock absorption. Discs naturally change around age 40, and those changes may not be immediately noticed.
The dehydration process can cause cracks or tears in the outer layer of disks, increasing your risk of herniated disks. Herniations happen when the soft, gel-like center of the disc protrudes and presses on spinal nerves, causing pain.
The space between the vertebrae gradually narrows as the discs flatten due to dehydration. When this occurs, painful bone spurs may form at the ends of the vertebrae.
As the natural aging process occurs, the wear and tear of the cartilage that cushions the vertebrae can stiffen the ligaments that hold the vertebrae together, which will result in pain and stiffness.
How Your Chiropractor Can Help
If you are looking to improve your range of motion and reduce pressure on your spine as a result of herniated discs or bone spurs, the Atlanta chiropractic clinic can provide you the help you need. Our chiropractors will perform a comprehensive exam, diagnostic testing, and any other tests that they feel need to be completed to obtain an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. Treatment options available at the clinic include:
- Spinal Manipulation: Our chiropractors will use quick, hands-on pressure or an activator to realign your vertebrae. Manipulations will help to improve your range of motion in your neck and back, decrease pain, and make it easier to move the muscles in your neck and back. After an adjustment, you’ll notice less pain and stiffness. Spinal manipulation is among the therapies that the American College of Physicians recommends for the treatment of low back pain. Nonradicular pain is pain that doesn’t spread to your arms or legs.
- Spinal Mobilization: Spinal mobilization stretches the spine and decreases tension in the muscles between your vertebrae with slow, gentle movements.
- Flexion-Distraction: Flexion-distraction is performed on a segmented table. As your chiropractor slowly manipulates your spine, the table moves beneath you, decompressing and stretching your vertebrae. Flexion-distraction improves mobility, decreases pressure on nerves and discs, reduces bulging of disks, and eases pain and stiffness.
- Massage: Spinal alignment issues can cause painful stiffening in the muscles of your back and neck. Massage therapy relaxes these muscles and improves blood flow to the area, facilitating recovery.
- Traction: Traction treatments gently pull and decompress your vertebrae, relieving pain and stiffness and decreasing pressure on your nerves. The therapy can be performed manually or with a particular device.
- Other Therapies: Depending on your diagnosis, your chiropractor may also suggest ultrasound therapy, cold and heat therapy, electrical nerve stimulation treatment, or trigger point therapy.
Take Control Of Your Pain; Call Us Today
If spondylosis has caused unwarranted pain and discomfort, take control of your pain, and contact our Atlanta chiropractors today to find the relief you deserve. Dial (404) 889-8828 to schedule an appointment today!