Maricel Soriano opens up about difficulty in walking due to spinal arthritis

Maricel Soriano opened up about her health condition that has affected her ability to walk.

In her latest YouTube vlog posted April 12, the veteran actress shared that she has arthritis in her spine.

"'Yung spine ko may arthritis hanggang leeg ko. Tapos nung first na experience ko 'to, in-injectionan na 'ko sa likod. Tapos 'yung sumunod dahil hindi pa rin nawawala 'yung pain, kasi sa side lang, ginawa nila mismong sa spine nila ako sinaksakan ng steroids," she said

"Tapos matagal bago nag-effect kaya iika-ika ako maglakad tsaka 'yung paa ko... manhid. Parang may mga karayom na tumutusok. On top of it, may pinched nerve ako."

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, spinal arthritis or arthritis in the back or neck happens when the facet joints in the spine or the sacroiliac joints between the spine and pelvis become inflamed. Symptoms of spinal arthritis include pain in the back and neck, stiffness and inflexibility in the spine, pain and numbness in the arms and legs, swelling and tenderness over the affected part of the spine, and more.

Johns Hopkins Medicine also said that osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis affecting the spine. This is usually caused by normal wear and tear and happens when the cartilage between the joints degenerates, leading to inflammation and pain.

According to Maricel, she wants to explore other types of treatment before turning to surgery.

"Ito namang sakit na 'to, gumagaling naman 'to," she said.

"Actually ang sabi nga mag pa-opera ka na para matapos na 'yung sakit na 'yan. Pupunta tayo dun pero kasi tinitignan namin lahat ng way kung papaano para hindi nga surgery ang mangyari. Sana, kasi ayoko."

Maricel added that she regularly walks in the pool and works with a physical therapist to manage her health condition.

The veteran actress also advised those facing the same condition to listen to their body and keep the faith.

"When your body talks, you listen. Dapat ganun eh, sabi kasi nila what you eat today will walk and talk tomorrow. Wag mong katakutan 'to, sabihin mo sa kaniya, 'Hindi mo ko kaya. Kaya kita,'" she said.

"Wag kang matatakot, nandiyan si Lord tsaka dapat lagi nating isipin na 'yung ibang tao nagawan ng himala, ikaw pa ba? Eh love ka ni God, di ba?"

At the end of her vlog, Maricel expressed her gratitude to those who have been praying for her.

"Maraming salamat sa lahat ng mga fans na nagdadasal para sa akin at para mawala na 'yung pain," she said.

—CDC, GMA Integrated News