At Total Spine Institute of Sherman Oaks and Calabasas, California, we often treat patients whose neck and back pain is related to spinal osteoarthritis.
Spinal osteoarthritis is a degenerative spinal condition that results in pain and inflammation. While many factors can contribute to spinal osteoarthritis, did you know that poor posture is actually a major risk?
This Arthritis Awareness Month, let Dr. Andrew Fox, Dr. Ryan Mattie, and the team at Total Spine Institute inform you about the importance of posture for avoiding spinal osteoarthritis. It’s never too late to improve your posture and your spinal health!
Your spine comprises many small bones, known as vertebrae, spaced apart by cushioning discs. This structure allows your spine to bend and move with a lot of flexibility.
However, if your spine is affected by a degenerative condition like spinal osteoarthritis, your spine could become inflexible, less stable, or chronically or acutely painful.
Spinal conditions often cause additional pain, numbness, or weakness due to a related condition known as radiculopathy, in which structural problems with your spine put pressure on spinal nerves.
Your spine functions best, with the least harmful pressure and potential for problematic wear-and-tear, when it’s properly aligned. Poor posture creeps up on us, whether relaxing on the couch, sitting at a desk for work, driving in the car, or during exercise.
In addition to looking less than put together, slouching or hunching your shoulders and neck can have lasting implications for your spinal health. Your head’s position is critical because the weight of your head puts so much biomechanical stress on your upper (cervical) spine.
Research shows that holding your head too far forward can put you at a higher risk of headaches, neck pain, and spinal osteoarthritis. Over time, poor posture puts extra pressure on your cervical spine, making you more vulnerable to degenerative conditions like arthritis. And poor posture does permanent damage related to arthritis set in more rapidly, as well.
If you’re concerned about poor posture and spinal osteoarthritis, talk to the spinal experts at Total Spine Institute about your risk factors and how to reduce your arthritis risk.
You can use targeted exercises or stretches to release tension in your spine, creating space and repositioning your neck into proper alignment. Exercises that strengthen your mid back may also be helpful for posture problems.
At Total Spine Institute, we offer a full range of treatments and therapies for spinal damage and dysfunction. In addition to improving your posture, we can recommend other options to reduce your risk of spinal arthritis or to address spinal arthritis issues that already exist.
There isn’t a cure for spinal osteoarthritis, but prevention and good posture can slow the progression of your condition. And keeping good posture habits makes you more likely to avoid spinal osteoarthritis altogether.
Contact Total Spine Institute today for all the information you need about spinal health and your posture. You can schedule an appointment online or over the phone.
