Spinal column is made up of small segments called vertebral bodies. These segments are are supported by paravertebral muscles on both sides which essentially maintain the body’s posture.
Problems pertaining to spine mostly arise form lack of exercise, chronic bad posture and obesity. Most patients of degenerative spine disease have varying symptoms from numbeness, tingling, paresthesias, pain and vertigo etc.
Degenerative spine disease is a broad spectrum term encompassing problems pertaining to Disc, Intervertebral Joints, Ligaments and the structural column itself. Degenerative disc disease pertains to wear of the intervertebral disc and changes in its sturcture and function.
PIVD, LCS, Facetal joint pathology, Listhesis and ligamentous hypertrophy are few major reasons of a degenerative spine problem. Usually seen in athletes involved in weight lifting and contact sports. A combination of these usually exists and is difficult to treat with only conservative maangement. Patients need life style modifications along with therapy and rehabilitation to lead a symptom free life. Surgical modality remains the choice of treatment in resistant cases.
The primary function of a disc is to act like a shock absorber. This function is compromised when the disc starts loosing water and protiens and becomes hard. Steroid abuse and cigarette smoking are also important factors which lead to disc degeneration and loss of disc function. It is advised to all patients with spine related problems to correct their posture and modify their lifestyle as per their orthopedic doctors guidance to prevent spine problems.
Exercises form the most important part of the functional rehabilitation along with the do’s and don’ts. Here is a breif video illustrating low back and upper back exercises to shrugg your pains off !!
It is advised that an orthopedic advise should always be considered to diagnose the problembefore starting any exercise regime.
Upper back pain is as common as low back problems. The easiset way to treat them is to prevent them. Exercises are the mainstay of primary and secondary prevention. The video will guide you through a series of stretches and exercises for the same.
