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Ways to Manage Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a chronic condition in which a spinal vertebra slips out of place and moves horizontally on top of the vertebra right below it. Some typical indicators of this condition are lower back pain, discomfort and pain in the posterior region, pinched nerves, muscle stiffness and tightness, hamstring tightening, and increased difficulty standing or walking.

Ways to Manage Spondylolisthesis
There are various treatment methods to help those with spondylolisthesis manage their symptoms effectively.

Spondylolisthesis treatment without surgery
Many types of spondylolisthesis can be managed without surgeries and other invasive procedures.

1. Physical therapy
Certain simple routines in physical therapy reduce lower back pain and improve mobility to some extent. Physical therapists specializing in spinal injury recovery teach those with spondylolisthesis simple exercises to strengthen their muscles in the lower abdomen and back. Strengthening these muscles is critical, as it reduces some of the stress that the spine would otherwise bear. Physical therapy also includes stretching exercises. The main purpose of these exercises is to loosen up the tightened hamstrings caused by spondylolisthesis.

Healthcare professionals typically recommend 6 to 12 weeks of physical therapy to address the symptoms of spondylolisthesis and repair some of the damage caused.

2. Activity modification and bracing
This remedy attempts to reduce the severity of spondylolisthesis symptoms by encouraging individuals to take a break from specific activities that aggravate the condition. So, for example, if a given sport or activity actively contributes to a person’s lower back pain, therapists recommend they stay away from it for a while. Instead, moderate, low-impact activities like swimming and Tai Chi may be added to the person’s workout regime. Both of these exercises increase blood flow to the spine and boost the recovery rate.

In addition to activity modification, doctors also advise individuals to wear back braces to improve their lower back strength and prevent their spine from developing unnatural bends and curves. Physical therapy specialists in clinics can create comfortable, custom-made braces to gradually aid their specific health conditions. They advise those with spondylolisthesis to wear the brace whenever they perform any movement that involves the spinal column. The duration of brace wear varies depending on the specific case of spondylolisthesis. Healthcare experts monitor individuals’ health status before deciding on that detail.

3. Hot or cold therapy
Heat therapy entails applying high-temperature compresses to the targeted area on the back. This heat treatment gradually increases blood flow to the affected area. The therapy is effective in healing muscle spasms. Alternatively, some healthcare professionals advise individuals with this condition to opt for cold therapy, in which a cold compress is applied to the affected area on the back. Like heat therapy, cold therapy also slows down blood circulation in the affected area. Cold therapy effectively reduces muscle spasms, discomfort, pain, and internal spinal inflammation.

Surgery for spondylolisthesis
When noninvasive procedures fail, healthcare professionals opt for surgeries to treat spondylolisthesis. Usually, high-grade spondylolisthesis causes an extreme degree of pain and disability, even after noninvasive treatments. Doctors perform surgery for spondylolisthesis after conducting extensive diagnostics and evaluating all available options. When no other feasible option remains, the experts move ahead with invasive procedures. Surgeons administer numbing agents before performing any procedure.

1. Spinal fusion
This subtype of treatment involves the fusion of all the affected vertebrae in the spinal column. This fusion, or joining of the affected vertebrae, prevents them from slipping again. This surgery tends to make the spine a little less flexible, which is why moving the spine a lot after this surgery can be challenging for those with this condition.

2. Spinal decompression
This procedure involves gradually lessening pressure on the individual’s spine nerves to reduce their pain and provide moderate to long-term relief from the discomfort caused by vertebral movement. Surgeons reduce the pressure by using one of several techniques to give the nerves in the affected area more room for movement. One such technique is bone removal from the spine. Depending on the individual’s condition and factors like age and body resilience, doctors take out the affected disk completely or parts of it to make the openings of their client’s spinal canal larger.

The recovery phase after these surgeries is lengthy. Healthcare professionals advise individuals, even after their discharge a few days after surgery, against engaging in any strenuous activities that could negatively affect their vertebrae and exacerbate their spondylolisthesis symptoms.

Exercises for spondylolisthesis recovery
Healthcare professionals and physical training experts advise people to avoid any exercise that puts a lot of strain on their lower backs. So, weight training with spondylolisthesis or full sit-ups needs to be avoided. Essentially, an individual should avoid any exercise that causes pain or discomfort. Certain exercises are fine, but even those specific ones are also likely to actively contribute to spondylolisthesis treatment.

  • Knee-to-chest exercise
  • Quadrupled arm and leg raise
  • Multifidus activation
  • Gluteal stretches
  • Hamstring stretch
  • Pelvic tilt

One should consult their healthcare provider before engaging in such exercises. It helps ensure that an individual is performing the right exercises to address their health conditions.

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