Spondylitis

Spondylitis

Spondylitis is one of the most common causes of back and neck pain and is essentially the result of an inflammation of the vertebral joints. The problem with detecting the condition is that it develops silently and comes to prominence once the condition has fully developed.

Types

  • Cervical spondylitis – which affects the cervical spine, causing the pain to spread towards the back of the neck
  • Lumbar spondylitis – which causes the pain in the lumbar region
  • Ankylosing spondylitis – which is primarily a disease that affects the sacroiliac joints, causing stiffness in the lower back, hips, knees and chest

Symptoms of lumbar spondylitis are,

Back pain and Stiffness
They are usually worse in the morning and get better throughout the day. If bony growths are pushing against a nerve root or the spinal cord, you may have numbness, tingling, weakness, or an aching, shooting pain in your buttock and leg.

Symptoms

Of cervical spondylitis

  • Neck stiffness and pain.
  • Headache that may originate in the neck.
  • Pain in the shoulder or arms.
  • Inability to fully turn the head or bend the neck, sometimes interfering with driving.
  • Grinding noise or sensation when the neck is turned.

Pain in spondylitis is usually concentrated around the cervical region of the neck, shoulder and lower spine with the instances and stings of pain flowing further downwards.

Causes

  • It is the product of:

    • A fast, mechanical life full of tension.
    • Lack of exercise and bad posture.
    • Use of cushy pillows and a soft bed.
    • An injury.

  • No specific cause can be pin-pointed.

  • Some patients develop a stiff neck due to:

    • The incorrect positioning of the head in bed, especially while lying on the tummy with the head turned to one side.

Treatment

Spine and joint care has very effective way of treatment in spondylitis.Spine and joint care treatment can able to help by improving the mobility of your muscles and joints.

Treatment is aimed at improving the overall mechanics of your body in order to reduce the strain through your neck. Therefore we will direct treatment not just on your neck but also other areas such as your thoracic spine and shoulder girdle depending on your individual needs. Exercise is also an important factor in treating your symptoms and spine and joint care will advise you on this.