Some spinal conditions can be improved through lifestyle changes such as proper nutrition and increased exercise. Conditions of the spine such as disk degeneration and spinal stenosis cause pain, reduce mobility and decrease your quality of life. Talk to your doctor about changes in your diet or types of exercises to help relieve symptoms and slow the progression of spinal conditions.
Definition
Disk degeneration is a condition that affects a disk that cushions the vertebrae of the spine, and spinal stenosis is a condition that describes a narrowing of the spinal canal, often caused by disk degeneration. This narrowing causes compression or pinching of nerves or bone spurs that grow into the spinal canal. Depending on the location and severity of stenosis, you might experience pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in your shoulders, arms or legs. Degenerative disk disease commonly causes weakness or pain in the disks found in the lumbar (lower back) region. Stiffness, limited range of motion and pain are common symptoms.
Dieting
Dieting reduces your weight, which in turn reduces the amount of weight that your lower spine must bear. Overeating, weight gain and obesity place additional weight on the spine, increasing your risk of developing bone and joint diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis, according to Spine-Health. Your doctor or a nutritionist will analyze your eating habits and create a diet or nutrition plan to help you lose weight or maintain your current normal weight to help ease pressure on your lower spine.
Exercise
Exercising can help retain, maintain or improve your spine's strength, stability and flexibility. Talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program or performing back exercises, especially if you've been diagnosed with degenerative disk or spinal stenosis. Your doctor may suggest a physical therapy program to help relieve symptoms. This may include low-impact movements such as walking, swimming or bicycling. Water therapy can also prove beneficial to your condition. Exercise causes blood flow to the affected area, flooding the affected region with nutrient and oxygen-enriched blood. Exercise also strengthens the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the spine and increases core or abdominal strength.
Results
You may not be able to repair damage to your vertebral disks or narrowing of the spinal column without surgery. However, you can improve your symptoms and reduce flare-ups or pain episodes through proper dieting and exercise. Your doctor may suggest epidural steroid injections into the problem area prior to recommending surgery. Some patients respond well to this therapy while others do not. Exercise and mobility increase flexibility and range of motion, which in turn reduce pain and stiffness. Talk to your doctor about diet and exercise if you've been diagnosed with any type of spinal condition.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Spinal Stenosis; Mayo Clinic Staff; 2010
- Spine-Health; What is Degenerative Disc Disease; Peter F. Ullrich. Jr., MD; 2005
- Spine-Health; Weight Loss and Exercise for Patients; Donald J. Frisco, MD; 2004
- "Current Review Musculoskeletal Medicine" Epidural Steroid Injections for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis; Mark A. Harrast; 2008
