Manage Back Pain

Back Arthritis:

Symptoms and Treatment for Spinal Arthitis.


Back Arthritis is one of the most common causes of back pain that I see.

Arthritis is very normal and does not need to associated with pain in many situations. After all we are all predisposed to wear and tear which is in essence what arthritis in its general sense is.

If you wear a pair of jeans for years they will eventually become worn and sometimes torn - this is similar to what happens in our spines with age, activity and time.

That much given however, if you are reading this you are probably suffering some discomfort or pain from this type of wear and tear. Treatment for arthritis of the spine is decided by the type and severity of the arthritis as well as your overall health condition. In this section, we will examine the different types of spine arthritis and treatments for each.



There are 2 main types of arthritis:
  1. Osteoarthritis - is where the natural affects of age and wear and tear affect the condition of your joints. This is normal but the symptoms associated with this wear and tear, if not treated may cause further dysfunction and problems over time.

    Osteoarthritis as said is where you have wear and tear on the joints, as a result of this movement of the effected joints becomes stiff and restricted. If you ignore this stiffness pain may increase and your arthritis deteriorate further, but if you treat it early enough movement can be maintained and pain eliminated fully in most cases. Morning stiffness is common.

    Read more about Osteoarthritis of the Spine.



  2. Rheumatoid Arthritis - is where there is more than wear and tear. In this condition it is physiological and involves chemical processes in the body which results in an ongoing condition of inflammation and pain flaring on and off.

    This condition is medical and requires drug treatment as well as manual treatment. Management is possible.


The two most common areas arthritis affects are:
  1. Cervical spine arthritis - is where joints in your neck become stiff and painful due to the effects of wear and tear related to movement and posture. You may have difficulty turning your head to the left or right in the car depending on where the arthritis is affecting you most.

    Read more about Cervical Spine Arthritis.


  2. Hip arthritis - is where the ball and socket joint of your hip is stiff and painful due to a wearing process in the joint. Difficulty putting on your trousers is common, as is morning stiffness.

    Read more about Arthritis and Hip Pain.


It is also worth mentioning Ankylosing spondylosis here - a chronic inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune disease. It mainly affects the joints of your spine and pelvis and as it progresses may result in fusion in your spine.


The treatment of arthritis of the spine is influenced by the type and severity of the arthritis as well as the condition and health of the individual affected. There are many options, so seek the best option for you by talking to a chartered physiotherapist as well as a rheumatologist. Avoid medication unless necessary is my advice.


You may also be interested in reading about arthritis of the neck.




Back from Back Arthritis to Back Pain Relief Homepage.





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The information on this web site does not replace specific medical advice. It should only be used to complement advice from your doctor. Always seek in-person advice from a doctor or other qualified health provider for your particular condition.

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