Bad Brambach
spondylosis therapy
Interesting facts at a glance
spondylosis treatment
Spondylosis is a wear and tear disease of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs. In the currently valid international statistical classification ICD-10 it is listed under the code M47. This degenerative disease, which was first mentioned around 1900, is particularly common in people over 65 years old. With increasing age, the intervertebral discs inevitably become drier, they dehydrate, become smaller and are therefore less and less able to maintain their buffer function between the vertebral bodies. Spondylosis can occur in any part of the spine, depending on where the wear occurs. The disease is only curable in rare cases, but it is usually very easy to treat. We offer a gentle healing method in the Saxon State Baths. Bathing and drinking treatments with water containing radon will noticeably alleviate your symptoms.
What is Spondylosis?
The Latin technical term for spondylosis is spondylosis deformans and is a collective term for degenerative, wear-related changes to the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs. These are visible on X-rays or MRI images as bone changes such as spikes, spurs or ridges. Most of the time, older people over 65 are particularly affected, as with increasing age the intervertebral discs between the vertebral bodies inevitably wear out and lose volume. But spondylosis can also occur in young people. Overweight, little exercise, poor posture, excessive physical strain, diabetes and other risk factors play a role.
The area of the cervical and lumbar spine is usually affected. From around the age of 40, the intervertebral discs become increasingly drier and lose volume, which leads to a loss of buffer function. The cervical and lumbar spine are generally subject to greater stress than other sections of the spine. It is believed that this is why spondylosis is most common in these two areas in particular.
Symptoms of spondylosis
Spondylosis is usually characterized by a very gradual process. As a result, the disease is only recognized quite late, as in the initial phase back or neck pain is usually explained as tension.
The following symptoms of spondylosis manifest themselves in different forms and combinations:
- Neck pain and/or back pain for a long period of time
- Lower back pain/pain in the lumbar spine area
- Pain that radiates to the arms, shoulders or legs
- Tingling and numbness down to the legs
- Affected regions are less sensitive to touch
- Increasing restriction of movement
- Uncomfortably tense muscles
- Signs of paralysis
- Symptoms of weakness that are not muscular
It should be noted that the symptoms do not primarily occur during periods of stress, but mostly during periods of rest. With spondylosis, physical resilience decreases significantly and a vicious circle begins because those affected increasingly adopt a protective posture because of the pain. However, this encourages the degeneration to progress and the pain to increase. Gentle exercise is essential to relieve the symptoms of spondylosis.
Causes of spondylosis
The main cause of spondylosis is increasing age. Due to the constant stress on the spine, the intervertebral discs degenerate, lose volume and therefore become thinner. The bony vertebral bodies therefore come closer together and come into contact at some point. Direct contact between the bones without the buffer zone in between leads to the pain typical of spondylosis because the bones rub directly against each other.
Very often the body reacts incorrectly in these areas, reacting to the missing intervertebral discs, the increased friction and the increasing instability of the spine with increased bone formation in order to restore stability. For those affected, this results in further pain and even more restricted freedom of movement.
In addition to age-related spondylosis, excess weight or permanent poor posture and lack of exercise can also lead to spondylosis. Diabetes also plays a role in spondylosis. The aim here is to optimally treat the root cause of diabetes and at the same time alleviate the symptoms of the spondylosis that it causes.
Treatment of spondylosis with the natural remedy radon
The exact treatment for spondylosis depends on the individual clinical picture and symptoms. The first and foremost thing is to relieve the pain. In the next step, mobility is maintained or, if possible, improved so that the spine can only wear out slowly or not at all. In the case of advanced spondylosis, i.e. degeneration of the spine, standard painkillers or acupuncture are powerless. Pain-relieving therapy with radon-containing water in the Saxon state baths often helps.
Once the pain has been brought under control, you will be referred to a physiotherapist who will create a treatment plan tailored to each patient. The main aim here is to improve mobility in the area of the intervertebral discs and to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles in order to optimally stabilize the spine. This is intended to prevent or at least delay progression of the disease.
If all of these measures are unsuccessful, surgery is the last option. Interfering bone spurs are removed and the spinal canal is widened to eliminate nerve compression. Sometimes it may also be necessary for the surgeon to replace a very degenerated vertebral body with a prosthesis. However, correcting a possibly displaced vertebral position is often enough.
If the wear and tear of the intervertebral discs is still in its early stages, physiotherapy and other gentle forms of therapy such as pain-relieving, radon-containing water in the Saxon State Baths are the most effective forms of therapy. Degenerative changes to the vertebral body and intervertebral disc are not 100% reversible, but certain restrictions remain. Fortunately, thanks to various therapeutic measures such as bath therapy with radon-containing water at the Saxon State Baths, those affected can usually get their symptoms under control very well.
Radon – the natural remedy helps!
Are you experiencing symptoms of spondylosis?
Radon drinking cure
Thanks to the radon and other components dissolved in the spring water, the positive effect of a drinking and bathing treatment is deepened. The iron it contains increases the number of red blood cells, which are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. This makes the entire immune system more efficient. In combination with calcium and magnesium, hydrogen carbonate has an anti-inflammatory effect and thus supports the effect of radon. The manganese dissolved in our spring water also plays an important role. This trace element is indispensable for humans as it supports bone and cartilage development and acts as cell protection against free radicals - essential for spondylosis patients.
Radon bath treatment
How long does the effect of drinking and bathing with water containing radon last?
We recommend that you take 10 to 12 full baths in a three-week period. So that you receive the optimal dose for your symptoms, our spa doctors determine the individual dose for you - of course always in compliance with the legal guidelines and upper limits. With us at the Saxon State Baths you are in good hands and can look forward to symptom relief and the subsequent improvement in your quality of life.
If necessary, drinking treatments with water containing radon support the processes of a full bath therapy via the stomach and intestinal mucosa. Patients report that pain is significantly reduced for months after radon therapy - up to 9 months - and that they have been able to reduce the consumption of painkillers and other medications.
Diagnosis: spondylosis
The diagnosis of spondylosis can only be made by a doctor after a detailed anamnesis. If you suspect this, your family doctor will refer you to an orthopedist, physiotherapist or osteopath. Not only are symptoms and accompanying complaints examined, but a series of functional tests are also carried out and the sources of pain are localized.
X-ray
If spondylosis is suspected, imaging diagnostic procedures are also used. X-rays make possible displacements of the spine or individual vertebral bodies visible. Using X-rays, the doctor can also determine whether and where spondylophytes, i.e. bony spurs or outgrowths, have already formed.
CT and MRI
If necessary, a CT scan will also be performed to examine the spine from multiple angles. Magnetic resonance imaging makes changes to ligaments, nerves, muscles and tissue visible. A myelogram is used to measure nerve activity to detect any nerve damage.
blood test
A blood sample provides information about inflammation, which in turn suggests an inflammatory disease such as ankylosing spondylitis or arthritis. The combination of several diagnostic methods excludes other possible causes of the symptoms. With the help of a correct diagnosis, the optimal therapeutic measures can then be initiated.
Risk factors of spondylosis
There are several risk factors for spondylosis. First and foremost, advancing age and decades of strain on the spine. Other factors that promote spondylosis include obesity, lack of exercise, poor posture, one-sided or excessive physical strain and smoking. It is therefore a disease that is widespread everywhere, but primarily in industrialized nations. Women over 45 tend to be affected slightly more often than men, especially in combination with osteoarthritis.
In diabetes, spondylosis, in this case usually spondylosis hyperostotica, can be a side effect of this metabolic disorder.
Questions about spondylosis
What role do genes play in spondylosis?
People with a close family history of osteoarthritis, congenital joint defects, spinal misalignment, or misalignment of the legs may be at increased risk of spondylosis due to genetic reasons. However, individual lifestyle is a much larger influencing factor. A genetic predisposition alone does not necessarily lead to spondylosis with sufficient exercise and optimal prophylaxis.
How can I prevent spondylosis?
The golden rules here are: exercise, sufficient, varied and gentle, as well as correct posture when sitting, standing and walking. However, some loss of functionality with age is unavoidable. A good muscular system in the back and stomach delays spondylosis - because if the intervertebral discs become thinner and less flexible, stable muscles and an upright posture can counteract this to some extent. Being overweight should also be avoided so as not to put unnecessary and excessive strain on the spine. Small measures can be taken in everyday life: take the stairs instead of the elevator; cycling is also better than making the daily journey to work or the supermarket by car.
Who covers the treatment costs for spondylosis?
Your health insurance company will cover the costs of all necessary and appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Depending on the health insurance company and the need for certain services, there may be an out-of-pocket cost.
What can I do myself to relieve the symptoms of spondylosis?
As long as you do not have excessive pain that requires special therapeutic measures, gentle exercise is recommended. Because a protective posture and no movement make spondylosis worse. However, avoid sports that put a lot of strain on the joints and spine. Handball, football and the like are rather counterproductive. Instead, choose swimming, cross-country skiing or hiking and avoid performance peaks. Daily stretching and movement exercises help to maintain mobility and delay the progression of spondylosis or even to live largely symptom-free even at an advanced age.
Spondylosis and work?
Anyone who suffers from mild spondylosis can usually continue to work normally, depending on their job. Ergonomic adjustments to the workplace may be necessary, particularly in sedentary jobs. Talk to your employer about this. Anyone who works in jobs that require (severe) physical strain should check with their doctor to what extent this is still possible if they have spondylosis. Retraining may be necessary.
How common is spondylosis?
Because people are getting older on average, the frequency of spondylosis is inevitably increasing. In Germany, around 50% of all people over 40 are affected by degenerative changes along the spine, including many who show no symptoms. The number of those affected is significantly higher among those over 65 years old. It is over 90%, but here too it is not necessarily associated with restrictive symptoms.
How heavy can I carry if I have spondylosis?
This depends very much on the severity of the spondylosis. If you have advanced spondylosis and stiffening of the spine, lifting heavy objects such as beverage crates and the like should be avoided. However, if the form is mild and there is little or no pain, maximum stress should not be carried out. The most important thing is to lift light or heavy objects in an ergonomically correct manner - from your knees with a straight back, and under no circumstances using your back to lift your strength.
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Drinking & bathing therapies with radon
In addition to bath therapy, radon drinking therapy also impresses with effective results. All healing springs that can be found in Bad Brambach contain a variety of minerals and trace elements as well as carbon dioxide and radon.
Package offers in Bad Brambach
Whether as a daily package, short trip or health week, our natural remedies are already perfectly coordinated and put together for you. Use the strongest radon source in the world for your health and thus a better quality of life!
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