What is Spondylitis?
Spondylitis is a relatively rare form of chronic, progressive arthritis which sometimes runs in whole family. The most common type is ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory condition which primarily affects the joints in the lower back where your spine meets the hips.
Spondylitis refers to degenerative changes in your spine such as bone spurs and degenerating intervertebral discs. Spondylitis changes in the spine which are frequently referred to as osteoarthritis.
Symptoms of Spondylitis
Few signs and symptoms of spondylitis will include pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips, especially in the early morning and after periods of inactivity.
Neck pain and fatigue also are common. Over time, symptoms might worsen your body, improve or stop at irregular intervals.
Causes of Spondylitis
In most cases, spondylitis results from the cumulative effects of ongoing wear and tear on the spine. However, there are a number of risk factors which can increase your likelihood to develop spondylosis. These risk factors include genetic predisposition, obesity, a history of traumatic injuries and participation in high-impact sports.
Specifically, spondylitis occurs when the soft tissues in your spinal anatomy, the spinal discs, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and cartilage that line the facet joints naturally deteriorate over time.
Spondylitis is also used to refer specifically to spinal osteoarthritis, which is a common result of the natural aging process. Osteoarthritis is an age-related condition which is characterized by the deterioration of the cartilage which covers the joints in the body, including the spinal facet joints.
Some people experience more degenerative changes related to spondylitis than others, but most have at least some signs of spinal deterioration that are readily apparent in an X-ray, MRI or CT scan by the age of 40.
Home Remedies for Spondylitis
Massage Therapy
This form of therapy will provide you relief from the pain and stiffness associated with spondylitis. It can help to improve your blood circulation and relax for the neck muscles. Adding any oil to the massage can help you to relax you further. Massaging with sesame oil or dried ginger boiled in mustard oil can also provide more relief.
Physiotherapy
A trained physiotherapist can help you to take through a series of exercises which will lessen the pain, reduce stiffness and improves flexibility. Once you have mastered the exercises, you will have to continue performing them at your home.
Neck Traction
This can be helpful in cases of acute spondylitis. A neck brace along with the traction device can be purchased from a medical dealer. There are particular neck exercises which should be performed under the guidance of a physiotherapist for half an hour every day. This will help you to provide relief from the pain.
Change your Chair
Bad posture can also be one of the causes of spondylitis and changing your chair can make all the difference. Your chair should have a firm seat and an upright back with support for your neck. It should also have arms so as to lessen the load on your spinal cord. Low chairs, soft chairs and couches and bean bags should be avoided since they contribute to the bad posture which will exacerbate the problem.
Change your Bed
Ideally, your bed should be firm and be able to support your spinal cord, without sagging. Use only a thin single pillow.
Watch your Posture
Maintaining an erect posture will help you to maintain a healthy spine.
Diet
Other home/natural remedies for spondylitis arthritis involve few dietary changes. A nourishing high protein diet along with adequate amounts of fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products will go a long way in keeping you fit. You can consult your doctor regarding any dietary changes you may require.
Yoga
There are certain yoga poses or asanas which can help relieve pain in the joints caused by spondylitis. Poses such as the Snake pose and the Fish pose have been used effectively to reduce the pain associated with spondylitis.
Other yoga poses which will help you to relieve stiffness and pain in the joints include the Bow pose, Half Spinal Twist, and Diamond pose.
In addition, people with spondylitis are urged, not to smoke or not to chew tobacco products because smoking aggravates the condition. Certainly, all of the other reasons why doctors will discourage smoking also apply here as well.
