If you’ve been diagnosed with spondylosis, you need to talk with your doctor before participating in weight exercises. While low-impact aerobic exercise is recommended by the Mayo Clinic, certain high-intensity physical activity may cause increased symptoms with this condition. A medical doctor should review the severity of your condition and recommend daily exercise that will enable you to remain active without causing further complications.
Spondylosis Background
Spondylosis is a medical condition that refers to damage of the disks in your neck that may cause pain and immobility. This condition mostly occurs in people over age 55 and may continue to get worse with age, according to the Mayo Clinic. Common symptoms associated with spondylosis include muscle spasms, stiff neck and pain. Certain conditions -- such as being overweight, a neck injury, severe arthritis, a ruptured disk and past surgeries on the spine -- put you at greater risk of developing this condition, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Exercises
Weight exercise may not be the most effective type of physical activity that you should participate in if you’ve been diagnosed with this condition. If you want to participate in weight exercises, talk with your doctor. Low-impact aerobic activity, such as walking, jogging or walking up and down stairs can provide you with exercise that will not affect the symptoms associated with spondylosis. Your doctor may recommend wearing a cervical collar when you engage in any exercise to ensure that your neck and head are stabilized. Water exercises may be recommended by your physical therapist to help strengthen neck muscles without a lot of impact.
Treatment
Common treatment for this condition includes physical therapy, massage therapy, heat therapy and medication. Taking a warm shower where the water pressure and warmth are aimed at your neck may help reduce pain. Alternate cold packs and heat packs when you feel the pain in your neck get worse. The MedlinePlus website states that common medications may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, narcotics and prescription medications that may help reduce chronic back pain.
Warning
Certain weight exercises can cause greater harm to the neck muscles and disks. Even if your symptoms subside, you should refrain from high-impact or high-intensity exercises. Spondylosis needs to remain under the supervision of a medical doctor. Without proper treatment, this condition may compress spinal nerves, leading to further complications. When this occurs, there is an increased risk of permanent disability because of spinal cord damage.
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