SpondySolution
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Spondylolisthesis Treatment Tip - Staying Positive

6/14/2012

6 Comments

 
Most of the time our blog contains the use of scientific studies and statistics to back up our post, but in today’s spondylolisthesis treatment tip I am only using personal experience as my guide.  I have no studies to prove my points; I only have my personal battle with spondylolisthesis to fall back on.  

Hopefully, the following tip will help you in your battle against spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis. 

As most of you know I have had a grade 1 spondylolisthesis since the age of 16.  Over the years the one thing that has remained constant with having a spondylolisthesis is the mental ups and downs. 

It’s a real swing of emotions, one day you feel great and are confident things are getting better and the next
day you are down because you cannot walk without pain and discomfort. Not only does the pain affect how you physically feel, it effects your energy and mental state of mind as well.

For most, spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis pain is more constant than not.  In your attempt to find relief you look for help in all different forms including doctors, therapist, and websites.  You feel good briefly and then all of a sudden you revert to the same old pain. The pain is a constant reminder that something is not right with your back.

In my experience, the mental aspect of having a spondy is the toughest battle to overcome.  For me personally no one understood exactly what I was going through and therefore no one could provide me with help or advice.  
 
I was a teenager who was unable to do what I loved and could not understand why.  I was down, mad, and pissed off.  But as I have learned more about this condition and about the human body I can honestly tell you that YOU CAN FEEL AND MOVE BETTER!

And the best part is you can move and feel better more often than not. 

Yes, you will have to do a little more work to feel “normal” when compared to your friends, neighbors or family, but overall it is not that bad.  If you can accept the fact that some days you might not be 100% and you might have a slight set back here and there, mentally things get so much easier. 

I used to get so mad when my back would hurt. I would play the stupid “why me” game and feel sorry for myself.  Not only did my back hurt, I was sad and had no motivation.  It wasn’t until I started feeling better that I was able to look back and think how much easier the recovery would have been with a little confidence and positive thinking. 
Picture
These sad thoughts are normal, natural and part of life.  In all honesty it is easier for me to say this because I now feel better and have confidence that no matter what my setback is I can get back to feeling great.  But trust me; I was in your shoes. 

At one point I was laying in bed unable to move without pain and discomfort wondering if things would ever get better. Thinking to myself if surgery would help and how fast could I get it.

I had more days of pain than I had days pain free.

I originally had a goal of finding a way to make my back feel better that was healthy and safe without surgery.

I can honestly say I have accomplished that.

With that being said, my new goal is to help others find relief.  And one of the best spondylolisthesis treatment tips I can provide is to stay positive.  I explain this to every teenager and adult I work with.

This process of feeling better can speed up with increasing your knowledge about the condition, beginning a proper exercise and stretching program and MANTAINING A POSTIVE THOUGHT PROCESS THROUGHOUT.

Without staying positive everything becomes harder.  You have no desire to get better or perform that next day of exercise or therapy. Things compound and spiral downhill. 

But with a positive state of mind, you learn and do what you can to improve.  Exercise and therapy become easier and enjoyable and things WILL slowly get better. 

You can move and feel better after being diagnosed with a spondylolisthesis.  One of the first things you can do to start this process is to start thinking positive. 

Whether your experiences are positive or negative, share a comment with us and let us know.  Speaking about the condition to others who have the same issues can really help the way you think and progress in recovery.

Post a comment on our blog or facebook page and let us know your battles.  I guarantee you are not the only one fighting this back pain.

I also firmly believe with the right approach you can improve and feel better. You can start by finding a way to reduce the inflammation that causes you pain, then remain positive and start a program that gets you moving and feeling better. 

The best part is you now have a site that will help you along the way!

6 Comments
Carol Christine Adams link
6/15/2012 09:53:39 am

I have two "cases" of grade II spondylolisthesis (lower lumbar &
upper sacrum). I can't seem to find info re the differences between
grade I and grade II. Please advise. Thanks.

Reply
SpondySolution
6/15/2012 10:33:35 am


Hi Carol. Try reading our blog post "Understanding Spondylolisthesis Grades". Try clicking on the "anatomy" tab located under the categories section on the right of this page. Scroll down and it should be the second post in the "anatomy" catergory. That article should provide you with the info. you are searching for. If you have trouble finding it or have further questions. Let us know. Thanks for the post!

Reply
Carol Christine Adams link
6/16/2012 11:01:31 am

Thanks for directing me to the answer to my question. I accidentally
"unsubscribed" to this e-mail site. I want to continue to receive your
info - please re-subscribe me. Please advise. Also, can Grade II
become Grade III or IV? I have severe pain when I try to "free stand". Any advice?

Reply
SpondySolution
6/16/2012 02:22:02 pm

To re-subscribe simply visit the "inside the program" tab at the top of the page. Then scroll to the bottom and find the "join our newsletter" information. You can sign up by simply entering your information. Depending on your limitations and movement patterns, spondy's can change over time. Pain when standing, especially after long sits is a common complaint among spondy patients. Without taking a look at you and determining your exact weaknesses I am unable to tell you exactly what to do. My suggestion would be to seek a therapist or ask your doctor for guidance in finding an exercise/therapy based program that attacks how you move as a WHOLE. Do not just focus on body parts or certain areas. You can read more about this and our philosophy under our FAQ tab at the top of the page. Hope this helps!

helen kinsey
6/15/2012 04:46:58 pm

I ,too, have good days and bad days, however, I get out of bed and goabout my morning routine as usual. i may have to stop now and then, but i get it done.
i also have this in my neck area and I found that some icy hot rubbed on my neck helps 100% of the time.
I have tried rubbing the icy hot cream on my lumbar-sacral area and sometimes It works and sometimes it doesn't. I am also beginning to exercise on my stationary bike for 30 minutes a day with no resistance and later add some resistance a little at a time.
thank you for this website. I have learned that surgery is not always required to eliminate the pain. thank you again, Helen Kinsey in Hesston, Ks.


I also have neck pain

Reply
SpondySolution
6/15/2012 05:20:13 pm

Thanks for the kind words Helen. I am glad we were able to provide you with some knowledge on alternative options to surgery. I totally understand the good days and bad days. The bike is great for getting some blood flowing and getting in the routine of fitness. One tip is to continue to learn about stability and strength exercises as well. Speak to your medical professional about exercises you could perform to compliment your bike workouts. Thanks for providing your story for others!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Visit our all new site Spondyinfo.com and get your FREE Spondy Ebook today!

    Join the hundreds who have already taken advantage of this FREE Guide and learn how you can start moving and feeling better from your Spondy today!


    CLICK HERE
    To get your FREE Copy of our popular Spondy Ebook for no cost!

    Copyright © 2012
    Athlete Movement
    Systems LLC. All rights reserved worldwide.
                                                                                              Athlete Movement Systems, LLC
                                                                                                           Copyright © 2012
                                                                                                  All rights reserved worldwide.

                                         Privacy Policy          Terms and Conditions            Home                Contact Us