Treatment Methods for Degenerative Disc Disease, Arthritis & Osteoporosis

Degenerative disc disease (DDS), arthritis and osteoporosis are common conditions that affect the bones and joints. While arthritis and osteoporosis tend to affect older people, DDS can develop in people in their 20s early 30s. All three conditions can be treated with exercise and medication.

Treating Degenerative Disc Disease

• Degenerative Disc Disease is a condition in which the discs separating the vertebrae in the spine shrink and become less flexible, resulting in pain and decreased mobility. Aerobic exercise, strength conditioning and stretching techniques including yoga are recommended to improve the overall health of a person with DDS and to strengthen back muscles to provide more support to the spine. Medications like anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics are also prescribed to control pain caused by pressure and inflammation. Medications prescribed include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin and --- for extreme pain --- opiates like morphine.

Treating Arthritis

• Arthritis is a disease that causes inflammation, pain and loss of movement in the joints. The standard course of treatment for arthritis is physical therapy, exercise and, when necessary, anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics to reduce swelling and control pain. Exercise is the most vital element in any program to treat arthritis, since it increases blood flow to the muscles and cartilage around the affected joints and makes them stronger and healthier. The most common medications used to threat arthritis are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

Treating Osteoporosis

• Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones lose their density and become more prone to breaks and fractures. The condition is most common in post-menopausal women but it also affects men. Osteoporosis is treated with medications, changes in diet and exercise. The most common medication for osteoporosis is bisphosphonates, which reduce the rate of bone density loss. A similar approach is taken through the use of a hormone called teriparatide, a more aggressive treatment usually reserved for patients that have already suffered a broken bone. Changes in diet can also help treat the condition --- a larger intake of food and beverages high in calcium and Vitamin D is often helpful. Regular aerobic exercise, like walking and stepping, has been shown to make breaks and fractures less likely by strengthening the muscles around the bones.