spondylolisthesis It is a common condition that causes pain and lack of mobility and impairs a person’s quality of life. This can result in chronic stress that prevents you from enjoying normal activities and can affect your social life.
This article describes living with spondylolisthesis and the lifestyle changes you can make to improve your quality of life.
We will also focus on both traditional and alternative treatments to help manage pain and alleviate other symptoms caused by this spinal disease.
What is spondylolisthesis?
Spondylolisthesis is a spinal disease that causes pain in different parts of the body depending on where in the spine it occurs. This involves one of the bones of the spine, known as a vertebrae, “sliding” forward into contact with the vertebrae below it.
Nonsurgical treatments are usually effective in relieving symptoms, but this is not always the case. In more severe cases, surgical treatment may be recommended.
Causes of spondylolisthesis
The two main causes of spondylolisthesis are age-related wear and tear and hyperextension of the spine, but some people can develop the condition congenitally.
hyperextension
Hyperextension of the spine, which is common in young adults, can occur while playing sports, especially contact sports that involve unnatural body movements. American football is a prime example of a sport that commonly causes back injuries.
However, sports that require twisting or unnatural movements include gymnastics, diving, and volleyball.
Year
Over decades, the spines of people engaged in general activities, especially manual labor, wear down. However, exercise and sports, especially those that are high impact and frequently impact the back, place additional pressure on the spine. Maintaining poor posture can also accelerate the deterioration of your spine.
The spinal discs, the soft tissues between the vertebrae, are one of the areas most susceptible to deterioration. Over time, these discs lose water and lose their shape, no longer acting as shock absorbers between the vertebrae. As we age, the vertebrae themselves become less dense and more prone to fractures.
This is why spondylolisthesis is more common among patients over 60 years old.
genetics
Some people develop spondylolisthesis because of genetics. This is especially true for people whose spinal bone structure is thinner than normal. This lack of spinal durability makes the back more susceptible to injury and can eventually lead to conditions such as spondylolisthesis.
Spondylolisthesis grade
There are three grades of spondylolisthesis, depending on the severity of the symptoms.
- Grade 1 spondylolisthesis – vertebrae misaligned by 1% to 25%.
- Grade 2 spondylolisthesis – vertebrae displaced by up to 50%
- Grade 3 spondylolisthesis – vertebrae displaced by up to 75%
- Grade 4 spondylolisthesis – vertebrae are misaligned between 76% and 100%.
- Grade 5 spondylolisthesis – When the vertebrae are more than 100% out of place, this is called spondylolisthesis.
For grade 1 spondylolisthesis, surgery is unlikely to be necessary and standard treatments can relieve symptoms. However, if treatment does not alleviate symptoms, the pain may still be very severe. Therefore, surgery may be the only option.
1 type Surgery for spondylolisthesis stage 1 It is a mechanical spinal device that replaces the affected vertebrae. This allows patients to maintain full spinal mobility, which is not possible with procedures such as spinal fusion that use bone grafts.
Make proactive lifestyle changes to reduce spondylolisthesis symptoms
A person’s diet, activity level, and habits can have a significant impact on spinal health. People who are unhealthy are much more likely to develop back symptoms than people who watch what they eat, stay in shape, and don’t smoke.
Below are some factors to consider to maintain a healthier lifestyle, especially if you want to reduce spondylolisthesis symptoms.
- diet – A healthy diet is a top concern for people who suffer from back problems. Processed foods, especially those containing additives, preservatives, and omega-6s, can cause inflammation, as can other foods such as red meat and foods high in sugar and fat. Instead, you should focus on eating plenty of fish, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and unprocessed grains.
- exercise – Make sure you get enough exercise regularly to maintain the strength of your back muscles. This can be as simple as taking a daily walk or bike ride, swimming twice a week, or attending an aerobics class.
- sleep – A good night’s rest reduces stress levels while ensuring that an adequate amount of fluids and nutrients reach the discs in your spine. If you have trouble sleeping, you may want to invest in a supportive ergonomic mattress.
- quit smoking – Although smoking is generally a good decision, as it can cause a variety of serious health problems. smoking It can also accelerate the deterioration of vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
Treatment options for spondylolisthesis
Although most spondylolisthesis patients experience excellent results with traditional treatment options, this is not always the case. Everyone’s body is different, and some people respond better to small lifestyle changes or alternative treatments. Also, many people around the world prefer not to rely on addictive painkillers and instead prefer herbal supplements and regular massage therapy.
Physical therapy can help strengthen the back muscles that support the spine, relieve pain symptoms, and cure the condition completely.However, some people simply feel that practice yoga Alternatively, doing Pilates in your spare time can achieve similar results.
If you have a spinal condition such as spondylolisthesis, it is best to stay active, as prolonged sitting or rest can worsen inflammation and increase pain. Activities such as walking, cycling, and swimming are considered to be the best activities for people suffering from lower back pain.
About the author:
Stacy Smith is a freelance health writer. She is passionate about her writing on women’s health, dental health, diabetes, endocrinology, and nutrition, and she provides in-depth features on the latest health news for clinics and health magazines.
