The spine is a complicated series of bones and disks, with each disc sandwiched in between two vertebral bones that helps with the flexibility of everyday moment. There are a variety of different types of Aging Spine conditions, from Osteoporosis to Disc Degeneration. Not all conditions are overly severe. Most aches and pains of the aging spine can be resolved with a little help from our Chiropractors in West Vancouver. Regular wellness visits monthly to our Chiropractor in West Vancouver can go a long way towards helping you live a healthy and pain-free life.
Osteoporosis can be a prelude to compression fractures in the aging spine. Thankfully, this condition can be treated with medication and other nonoperative measures. A herniated or ruptured lumbar disc is often associated with nerve root damage or arthritis, and also respond well to nonoperative treatment plans. Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease or CDDD is associated with neck pain and stiffness and may require surgical intervention. These are just a few examples of the conditions of the aging spine that we regularly treat at Ambleside Chiropractic Clinic in West Vancouver.
Here at Ambleside Chiropractic Clinic in West Vancouver, we have helped many people throughout the various stages of the Aging Spine, from early onset to more developed problems. Each spine is individual, and your symptoms, causes, and treatments will be unique. If there’s one thing we can recommend it’s to visit our West Vancouver Chiropractor earlier rather than later.
Typical Symptoms of An Aging Spine
The most clear-cut symptom is consistent back pain, which you may have experienced growing worse over time. Depending on whether you have Osteoporosis, degenerative discs, or Spinal Stenosis, your symptoms will vary depending on what nerves are affected and the severity of the condition. Stenosis can cause leg pain, whereas herniated discs, for example, will cause a low, dull back pain with leg numbness and tingling.
Because of the wide variety of different conditions and their symptoms, you should have our West Vancouver Chiropractor evaluate your symptoms right away. If you have sudden back pain, or pain that grows worse over time, you need to have it looked at right away. Similarly, if the pain seems to be spreading to other parts of your body, it’s imperative to visit our Chiropractor in West Vancouver. Don’t put off medical treatment for your back – the sooner it’s treated, the better.
If you do notice sudden severe pain please make an appointment and share as much information as you can with your Chiropractor in West Vancouver. The more accurate information that you share about your back pain, the faster the proper treatment can be carried out. Unfortunately, aches and pains in your spine are considered to be normal as you grow older. However, getting routine exams and regular maintenance care by our West Vancouver Chiropractor will help relieve pain and allow you to continue living happily.
Treatments Available with Our Chiropractors in West Vancouver
Due to the complicated nature of the conditions of the Aging Spine, our West Vancouver Chiropractor will be able to offer personalized advice on the treatment which best suits you. There are both noninvasive and surgical treatments for most conditions of the Aging Spine. The severity of your condition primarily determines the type of treatment that you will receive.
Take Osteoporosis, for example. As Osteoporosis worsens, there is a higher risk of a spinal fracture. Thankfully, many types of these fractures are preventable with either medication, diet, and exercise. Some non-surgical treatments used to treat Osteoporosis also include back braces or a dose of Calcitonin to slow down the degradation of bone minerals.
With a condition such as Spinal Stenosis, wherein the spinal canal narrows due to arthritis of the spine, there are also non-surgical options. Some simple non-surgical procedures like regular Chiropractor-recommend exercises, stretches, and chiropractic treatment can help alleviate pain. However, surgery can be recommended to relieve the pressure off the nerves in the spine and help patients live without pain and walk further.
For severe conditions, such as severe Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease, which causes neck pain and stiffness, surgery is usually necessary. These surgical procedures are either decompression surgeries or discectomies. The type of surgery recommended will depend on the severity and location of the pain.
When to Visit our Chiropractor in West Vancouver for Symptoms of an Aging Spine
As we mentioned, here at Ambleside Chiropractic Clinic in West Vancouver, we treat patients with a variety of different conditions. The most important thing to do is realize when you need further Chiropractic treatment. If you wait too long to have your spine examined you run the risk of moving from a non-surgical situation into a condition where surgery might be necessary.
