How to Treat Spina Bifida Occulta

Most people who have spina bifida occulta, the mildest and often harmless form of the condition, will rarely need to seek any sort of treatment to correct their vertebral defect. The name itself is some indication of the undisruptive nature of the condition. Loosely translated, spina bifida occulta means "hidden cleft spine." The majority of people who are born with this condition commonly aren't even aware that it exists, living without any signs or symptoms of cleft.

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your doctor. Most people with spina bifida occulta will never need treatment for this form of the condition, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, a few people do begin to have issues with back pain, their bowels, their bladder or even their mobility, so you may need to speak with your doctor to gauge whether treatment is necessary.

• 2

  Protect your back. While no one's back is impervious to injury or strain, you should make sure to take some extra precautions with your back, especially with activities that entail lifting or bending. Spina bifida occulta normally involves a defect within the lumbar region of your spine, the area of the back that bears the majority of your weight and takes the brunt of mechanical stress. Since you're a bit more vulnerable in this region, you should make sure to support this area as much as possible as a form of preventive treatment.

• 3

  Keep yourself fit. Another method of preventive care and treatment for spina bifida occulta will involve keeping yourself fit through both diet and exercise. We already know that the lumbar region of your back is usually affected by this particular condition, so it should stand to reason that keeping your weight low and the area strong can help ensure you're keeping the back flexible and not subjecting it to any unnecessary strain.

• 4

  When spina bifida occulta is causing you a great deal of pain, consider a tethered cord release surgery to not only treat, relieve and prevent pain, but also ensure muscles of the lower back remain strong and your mobility remains full.

• 5

  Consult a physical therapist. If you needed surgery to treat pain, you'll most likely need to work with a physical therapist to strengthen the back after the procedure. He will be able to provide a series of exercises to set you out on the road to recovery.