Hello, I would love some opinions on cervical osteoarthritis. Years ago, I had a
car accident and it has left me, at 58, with osteoarthritis in my neck and
myofascial pain syndrome. Along with that, are two slightly bulging discs ( that
are actually fine, now), but I have arthritis symptoms from my neck, especially
with weather changes-headaches, some tingling and pain and muscle related
discomfort . However, I am very fit and work out at a gym which has really,
really, cannot emphasize how much, helped my neck problems. My question is this,
I am a former horse rider, who had ridden all my life before the accident and
have been sidelined, as I have built back up...can the movement of riding worsen
osteoarthritis? I can't get a clear answer from my doctors on this, they seem to
say to go ahead and live your life and deal with whatever pain may result. I
just don't want to increase/make worse the problem I do have so that I would
have constant pain...just now, it is finally, after years, mostly weather
related, so for the most part, I can not take medication, preferring to just
tough it out. I have made my life without horses, am able to be active and fit
and would never want to jeopardize that. Suggestions? Thoughts? Any other riders
out there? Incidentally, I was a dressage rider...so, for those that know, all
of the sitting trots, along with the whiplash car accident took it's toll.
Thanks for any help. Karin