Spine Arthritis Physical Therapy

Spinal arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints in the spinal column. There are many types of arthritis, but the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both cause stiffness, swelling and pain. Several forms of treatment for arthritis exist that usually involve a combination of medication and physical therapy. As each case is different, discuss all the possible methods of physical therapy with your physician or orthopedist.

Physical Therapy Options

• Muscle imbalances are the main cause of spinal arthritis. These imbalances affect posture, contributing to neck and back pain. Degeneration in the bones and calcium build-up are other causes, as well as past injuries and surgeries, herniated discs and bone spurs.

  Although there are no cures for spinal arthritis, physical therapy is effective in reducing pain, improving movement and strengthening muscles. Forms of therapy used to treat the spine include inversion therapy, muscle balance therapy, trigger point therapy and healing heat.

  Inversion therapy assists with decompression and helps relieve stress on the joints of the spine. while muscle balance therapy promotes stability in the pelvis and spinal column and reduces wear and tear on the joints and discs. Trigger point therapy is effective for treating spinal arthritis by helping restore muscle function and treating pain. Healing heat is used to provide penetrating relief of pain in the joints and also to increase range of motion.

Swimming and Water Therapy

• Certain exercises---swimming, in particular---have also been shown to help strengthen the muscles around the joints and reduce stiffness and pain. Swimming allows patients to exercise with very little stress to the joints. The buoyancy of the water also reduces weight placed on the spine.

Chiropractic Treatment and Traction

• For more severe cases of spinal arthritis, chiropractic manipulation is sometimes recommended; this can provide relief from neck and lower back pain. A much less forceful form of manipulation known as traction can also be beneficial.