What is the Connection Between Arthritis and Back Pain?

The connection between arthritis and back pain is scientifically proved. There are more than 100 forms of arthritis, which can affect any part of the body, including the back. Arthritis usually causes pain by inflaming the area surrounding a joint or damaging a joint over time. When arthritis affects the spine, it generally causes stiffness and pain in both the back and neck. Age, obesity, and injury can increase the likeliness of developing arthritis and back pain.

While arthritis and back pain are linked, the symptoms of arthritis in the spine can usually be experienced in other parts of the body as well. Other symptoms of arthritis are stiffness that is worse in the morning or after a long day, pain or soreness in the neck, and pain in the buttocks and thighs. Someone with arthritis and back pain may also experience numbness or weakness in his or her limbs along with the sound of bone rubbing against bone when moving about.

Arthritis can eventually cause the spine to deform, which can increase back pain. If left untreated, symptoms can worsen enough to severely limit movement and therefore hinder daily life. Fortunately, many types of pain management are available to people with arthritis and back pain. It is often entirely possible for those with arthritis in the back to live normal lives.

Back pain is extremely common and caused by many things, so determining that the pain is truly the symptom of arthritis is usually necessary before treatment. A doctor typically requests a blood test to find out the type of arthritis, x-rays to determine how badly damaged the back has become, and an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to see more detail. Other tests might be ordered to better determine the exact cause and best way to treat it. Generally, the doctor goes over the findings with the patient before prescribing treatment.

There is no scientifically recognized cure for arthritis in any location of the body, so the treatment for this condition revolves around dealing with the back pain. Doctors often prescribe medication to deal with the symptoms of arthritis and back pain, but other therapies can be very important. Proper diet and exercise can reduce the amount of weight that puts stress on the back and strengthen the surrounding muscles so that the body can distribute weight better. Physical therapy and the application of hot and cold compresses have also been shown to help alleviate arthritis and back pain.