Spondylosis is a fancy medical term for spinal arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis). This condition can cause patients a lot of pain. One of the best things you can do to relieve the pain caused by this condition is to remain active. But exercising with spondylosis can be difficult due to the pain and other associated symptoms. In this article we will lay out a few exercises that you can do in spite of your spinal arthritis.

Strength Exercises

It is a common misconception that people with back pain need to rest in order to recover. In fact, the opposite is true. Patients who remain active with exercise generally recover quicker and have less pain than sedentary patients. Regular exercise can strengthen your muscles, improve mobility, avoid joint stiffness, and help you lose weight (which puts less burden on your spine and back).

Strength training can help build up your back muscles and help support the area affected by the spondylosis. Focus your strength exercises on the area of your back that is impacted by arthritis. If the arthritis originates in your low back, work on strengthening your lower back and core (abs). If your arthritis originates in your neck, work on strengthening your neck and shoulder muscles.

Cardio Work

Cardio exercise is good for your overall bodily health. When spondylosis is involved, cardio can help keep joints loose and mobility up. Focus primarily on low impact exercises like biking, swimming, or simply walking. Running may be too high impact depending on the extent of the arthritis.

On a final note, while exercise is great for recovery, overdoing it can lead to additional injuries. So don’t push yourself too hard. Do what feels right. If you are unsure about whether a certain exercise will be detrimental, talk to your doctor.

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