Tuesday, March 26, 2024
HomeExclusiveHow Do You Treat Arthritis In The Lower Back

How Do You Treat Arthritis In The Lower Back

How In Motion Oc Can Help With Back Arthritis

Treating Low Back Arthritis

Having arthritis in your back can be painful, frustrating, and make you feel alone in your suffering.

You do not have to face back arthritis alone.

You deserve specialized care and the best treatments available.

Let the excellent staff of physical therapists and personal trainers at In Motion O.C. help you like they have thousands of others.

We offer personalized treatment options, state of the art facilities, and a caring staff that will make you feel like the high-priority patient you are.

You dont have to take our word for it, you can trust us as the number one rated physical therapist in the nation according to users on Yelp.

today to make an appointment and take back your life.

*This information about physical therapy for back arthritis was reviewed by Dr Natalie Thomas, PT, DPT. If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to contact us here.

Lifestyle Changes And Alternative Treatments

Certain lifestyle changes can help relieve the pressure on your spine and improve your overall outlook.

These include:

  • eating foods that reduce inflammation
  • quitting smoking
  • reducing alcohol consumption

You may also benefit from working with a physical therapist. They can help you perform specific exercises that may restore lost range of motion in your lower back.

Pain from lumbar arthritis can also be treated by alternative or complementary medicine, especially in early stages. Acupuncture and chiropractic care felt in the lower back, but they arent long-term solutions.

Nerve Pain Or Numbness

As the joint breaks down due to arthritis, bone spurs can form. These bone spurs can come in contact with nerves in the spinal column and cause pain, tingling, and numbness in other areas.

You may not notice these sensations all the time, but they can become problematic when doing even the most basic activities, like bending over to tie your shoes, or reaching up to get something from the top shelf.

Don’t Miss: Advil Or Aleve For Back Pain

Arthritis In Dogs: How To Manage Pain

At the end of the day, although an arthritis diagnosis might seem frightening, there are many different methods and strategies available to you to help your dog and manage his pain. Your veterinarian can help you find the right plan based on your dog specifically and answer any questions you may have throughout the process.

Innovet created a product line of full spectrum pure hemp oils void of dangerous compounds. Their USDA certified organic oil is formulated especially for animals and is also third-party tested to ensure consistency and purity. Innovet offers more than 50 affordable products to help pets manage anxiety, pain, as well as other conditions. Get more information about Innovets CBD products. Their latest formulation, Advanced Mobility Support for Hip and Joints, combines the power of glucosamine with organic hemp extract to help pets with arthritis feel their best.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Of The Spine

chronic arthritis refined sugar and arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the immune system turns on itself. It attacks synovium the lining of the joints. Although rheumatoid arthritis is more common in other joints, it can also affect the spine, specifically the cervical region . Rheumatoid arthritis of the spine is not caused by wear and tear, so its considered an inflammatory arthritis. It may cause back pain even when these joints are not in use. It tends to affect women more than men.

Also Check: Does Aleve Help Lower Back Pain

Common Medications To Treat Arthritis Flares

OA patients might just need some OTC pain-relieving medication such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Dr. Bose also recommends topical gels and lotions like diclofenac gel or 2 Old Goats. If that doesnt work, Dr. Ashany says joint injections of steroids may be given. RA flares are more complicated. In inflammatory arthritis, steroids are often used to try to quickly bring a flare under control, Dr. Ashany says. If only one joint is involved a steroid can be given by injection, but otherwise it can be taken orally .

In inflammatory arthritis, if flares continue to occur, this indicates that the patients regimen of maintenance medication is not adequate, Dr. Ashany says. This may lead to addition of a medication, switching one drug for another or increasing the dose of medication that the patient is currently taking.

How Can A Physical Therapist Help

Your physical therapist will help you set goals to reduce your symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. You’ll learn how to safely exercise and continue to participate in your normal daily activities.

Your physical therapist can help with a variety of treatment options, including:

Exercise. Exercise is the most important treatment to lessen your pain and improve your mobility. Your physical therapist will prescribe specific low-impact activities that will strengthen your spine, abdomen, and hip musclesâto improve your ability to stand, walk, and balance, and lower your risk of falling.

Caution: Please consult your physical therapist or doctor before starting any exercise program.

Stretching. Your physical therapist will prescribe specific stretching exercises for your spine, arms, or legs based on the results of your initial evaluation. Obese individuals are in special need of stretching and exercises. Combined with strengthening, stretching may help slow the progression of the disease.

Symptom management. Symptom management means learning to feel better and remain active. Sometimes people are fearful that increased activity will worsen their symptoms or increase their pain. Your physical therapist will help you learn how to be more active without worsening your symptoms. The therapist will help you find your appropriate activity levels, and develop a unique program to keep you moving.

Following Surgery

Don’t Miss: Back Pain Cleveland Clinic

Arthritis In Lower Back

Osteoarthritis is the most commonly known type of arthritis and this occurs when the cartilage in the joints break down. The loss of cushioning in between the bones may lead to stiffness, loss of joint motion and pain. According to experts, almost 27 million of all Americans suffer from this condition. osteoarthritis usually affect certain joints more frequently than the rest of it and the lower back is the most susceptible to this condition. Since arthritis conditions do not disappear, it is necessary to find pain relief measures for arthritis in lower back. Continue reading

Spinal Cord Stimulation: An Alternative Or Adjunct To Medication For Spinal Osteoarthritis

Treating Back Pain Caused by Arthritis

If youve taken several medications for your spinal osteoarthritis with little relief, your doctor may recommend , also known as neuromodulation to help relieve your chronic back or neck pain.

Spinal cord stimulation generates mild electrical impulses that block pain signals from reaching your brain. Pain is perceived in the brain. Neuromodulation involves implanting a small generator either in your abdominal or buttock area and thin wires called leads into the spinal canal. Some patients are not candidates for SCS, such as people who are pregnant, have a heart condition, epilepsy or have an existing implanted device such as a pacemaker. If your doctor recommends SCS, the first step is a trial period where the system is temporarily worn outside your body. If your pain improves using the stimulator, the device may be implanted surgically.

For some patients, spinal cord stimulation also helps them reduce their dependence on opioids or other pain medications. If youre concerned about tapering or weaning off your pain medication, talk to your doctor about strategies that may ease this process.

You May Like: Does Aleve Help Lower Back Pain

Foods You Should Take In When You Have Arthritis In The Back

In regulating arthritis in the back, you can try to check the foods that you are eating. Vegetables are very good to eat if you have arthritis. Foods which are rich in sulfur can bring you healing. They can repair the bones, cartilage and tissues. They can also help you absorb the calcium better.

You can also try eating some brown rice. Pineapple is also a fruit which can be good for your aches and pains due to arthritis. You can also eat fruits like cherries, apples, or bananas. Bromelain can lessen the inflammation in the back. Some vegetables which are also good for arthritis are celery, wheat grass, alfalfa, garlic and parsley.

If you can, try some juice fast for 4-6 weeks. It will dissolve the deposits in the joints and the tissues. Potato juice is also a must try if you want to have some relief from arthritis. You can make this using some electric juicer. Just cut the potatoes in small slices, mix with cold water and leave it overnight. You can drink it the following morning.

In order to prevent anemia which often accompanies arthritis, remember to drink iron supplements or foods rich in iron too. To prevent liver damage, eat fruits and vegetables which contain beta carotene. Have some carrot juice on hand as a refreshing drink.

Active And Passive Treatment Options

The treatments for degenerative disc disease generally fall into two categories:

  • Active treatments, which are performed by the patient
  • Passive treatments, which are done to the patient

Passive treatments, such as pain medications or injections, are rarely effective on their ownâan active component, such as a controlled, progressive exercise program for rehabilitation, is almost always recommended.

Additional therapies, such as heat and/or ice therapy, acupuncture, and behavioral therapy, may also provide enough low back pain relief to allow the continuation of an exercise and rehabilitation program.

Recommended Reading: Advil For Lower Back Pain

Prepare Ahead Of Time

Keep track of when your flares happen so you can learn to identify triggers. If you think, for example, that weather affects your flares, OA patients need to prepare accordingly and use OTC pain meds, Dr. Bose says. In addition, RA patients should stay compliant with their medication regimen. If you suspect your diet could be a culprit, monitor what foods youre eating, says Karen Jacobs, EdD, OT, OTR, CPE, FAOTA, an occupational therapist who works with arthritis patients and a clinical professor at Boston University.

Have a plan for when flares inevitably occur. Jacobs says to arrange ahead of time with your employer to work from home or make other adjustments if needed. An inflammatory arthritis patient will often, in time, have a sense of whether they are starting to flare, Dr. Ashany says.

What Is Arthritis Back Pain

Can Back Pain Be Caused by Sitting?

Arthritis is caused by inflammation of the joints and it affects every single joint in the human body. Once diagnosed with arthritis, a person can only slow down the effect and reduce the symptoms. This situation cant be cured.

Almost 28% of the US adults are affected by this condition. Arthritis causes immobilization and reduces flexibility.

Depending upon the body part affected, there are over 100 different types of arthritis. Some of the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, Polymyalgia rheumatic, fibromyalgia, Enteropathic arthritis, Cervical spondylosis that affect various parts of the body.

One of the common arthritis is spinal arthritis that specifically affects the spine. One of the common symptoms is an intense back pain.

Other types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, neck arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can also cause back pain. So, it is important to properly diagnose your symptoms before taking treatment.

*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.

Also Check: Mayo Clinic Lower Back Pain Exercises

Symptoms Of Arthritis In Lower Back And Hips

When we think of arthritis, we think of joint issues in senior people. While senior citizens do suffer the most from arthritis, it isnt exclusive to any age group, nor is it a single condition describing a specific type of joint related issue. There are several different types of arthritis that affect different age groups.

If you are someone who experiences chronic joint pain, you should be aware of arthritis. In this article, well try to give you a detailed description of arthritis, and its symptoms in lower back and hips.

Reactive Or Enteropathic Arthritis

Both reactive and enteropathic arthritis are tied to lumbar arthritis symptoms.

Reactive arthritis is triggered by an infection in your body. It typically results after a bacterial infection, such as chlamydia or salmonella.

Enteropathic arthritis is typically tied to inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease.

Don’t Miss: Advil Vs Ibuprofen For Back Pain

Adding Or Removing Some Bone Around A Joint

If you have osteoarthritis in your knees but you’re not suitable for knee replacement surgery, you may be able to have an operation called an osteotomy. This involves your surgeon adding or removing a small section of bone either above or below your knee joint.

This helps realign your knee so your weight is no longer focused on the damaged part of your knee. An osteotomy can relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis, although you may still need knee replacement surgery eventually.

What Are The Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis Of The Spine

How to Treat Low Back Arthritis | Susquehanna Spine Lancaster | Westside-Medical

Osteoarthritis of the spine may cause stiffness or pain in the neck or back. It may also cause weakness or numbness in the legs or arms if it is severe enough to affect spinal nerves or the spinal cord itself. Usually, the back discomfort is relieved when the person is lying down.

Some people experience little interference with the activities of their lives. Others become more severely disabled.

In addition to the physical effects, a person with osteoarthritis might also experience social and emotional problems. For instance, a person with osteoarthritis that hinders daily activities and job performance might feel depressed or helpless.

Also Check: Aleve Or Advil For Back Pain

Symptoms Of Back Or Lumbar Arthritis

Arthritis in the back usually causes pain and stiffness, particularly in the lower portion of the back. A patient suffering from this condition often notice that their back is stiff particularly upon waking up in the morning and this may loosen as the day goes on. The symptoms of the condition may also worsen when doing strenuous or prolonged physical activities. When the arthritis condition in the lumbar facet joint is aggravated, the joints will start forming bone spurs, the nerves surrounding the joints become pinched, and the tissue becomes swollen and inflamed. This condition is known as spinal stenosis, which is very common in patients suffering from arthritis in back.

Overview Of Medications Used To Treat Spinal Arthritis A Common Cause Of Back Pain Also Called Osteoarthritis Or Spondylosis

The type of arthritis that more commonly affects the spine is osteoarthritis, also called spondylosis. Other types of arthritis that are inflammatory in nature include rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Here, youll learn about medications for osteoarthritis that affects your neck , mid back , and/or low back .It is not uncommon for arthritic neck or back pain to be accompanied by other symptoms, such as tingling sensations, numbness, or muscle spasms. Photo Source: 123RF.com.

Don’t Miss: How Does A Diuretic Help Back Pain

What Will Happen To Me

For most people low back pain is an unpleasant but common condition that settles down fairly quickly. This usually takes 1-2 weeks but can last several weeks for some people. After two months, 9 out of 10 people will have recovered. For many people, low back pain can return over the years but your experience and learnings from your previous bout can support you in returning to normal function more quickly.

How Does It Feel

Pin on Treatment for Back Pain

Symptoms of OA of the spine vary from person to person and can range from mild to disabling. You may not have symptoms even though the condition is present. Its onset and progression can be quite slow.

With early or mild disease, symptoms may be intermittent. You might feel stiffness or aching after sitting a long time, on waking in the morning, or after vigorous activity. You or your family may notice changes in your posture. Some people will bend forward or shift to the side. With more advanced OA of the spine, symptoms will become more constant and tend to interfere more with your daily activities, especially with walking and standing.

Common symptoms of OA of the spine include:

  • Pain in the back or neck.
  • Pain that is worse after prolonged inactivity, on getting up in the morning, or after physical activity.
  • Pain that worsens with standing and walking, and gets better with sitting or lying down.
  • Stiffness after prolonged inactivity, on getting up in the morning, or with movement of the involved area of the spine.
  • With a more advanced condition, symptoms that do not improve with rest and that interfere with sleep.
  • Pain, burning, or tingling sensations that spread to the shoulder or arm, or to the buttocks or leg.
  • Difficulty performing normal daily activities, such as dressing and bathing, as well as walking and standing, as the condition progresses.

Also Check: Advil Good For Back Pain

Nondrug Therapies And Lifestyle Changes To Ease Back Pain

Learn how assistive devices, mind-body therapies and healthy choices can provide back pain relief.

An estimated 50 percent to 80 percent of American adults will experience back pain. Whether because of a traumatic accident, a simple injury or osteoarthritis, there are ways to find relief. If you have a type of inflammatory arthritis such as ankylosing spondylitis or non-radiographic axial spondylarthritis, you also need to seek care from a rheumatologist to manage the inflammation that is driving your back pain. But these self-care tips can help to ease back pain.

Prescription Medication And Surgery

If OTC medications arent easing your symptoms, your doctor may recommend corticosteroids or muscle relaxants. Corticosteroids are used to control inflammation, and muscle relaxants are used to minimize muscle spasms.

Your doctor will only recommend surgery as a last resort. Its typically only needed in cases where the bones have fused together or where the pain is so extreme that it prevents any range of motion.

Recommended Reading: Advil Or Ibuprofen For Back Pain

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular