Live Life Team
Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune disorder that mostly affects peripheral joints. People suffering experience back pain, which results from the immune system of your body attacking the synovial linings of your spine’s small joints. In severe cases, this can lead to nerve roots and spinal cord compression.
Treatments for Backs Rheumatoid Arthritis include the following:
Hot and Cold Treatments for Symptom Relief
These cannot treat the causes of back pain, but they do assist in reducing the stiffness and pain felt during a flare-up. A heat pack improves blood flow and reduces muscle spasms, also makes the pain more manageable. A cold pack assists in reducing inflammation caused by Rheumatoid arthritis. It should only be used for acute pain or flare-ups. Cold packs usually feel uncomfortable when first used, but they can substantially reduce swelling and pain as well. They should be applied for 20 minutes each time, at a frequency of 3 – 4 times daily.
Medications
It is an effective means by which chronic back pain is controlled. The medication type needed depends on the severity of your pain and how often it’s experienced.
There exists a variety of medications that slow the progression of Rheumatoid arthritis and also alleviate pain. They include:
Painkillers
How you manage your pain makes one live comfortably with a chronic back problem. One of the ways these can be achieved is by use of Analgesics, or painkillers.
Narcotic medications such as Oxycodone should be cautiously used for chronic diseases in order to avoid dependency risk. There exists other medications that treat pain and underlying inflammation. Your doctor could also prescribe stronger medications to relieve you from severe back pain.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to soothe inflammation and pain, which eases back pressure making movement easier. Ibuprofen and Naproxen are two NSAIDs that are mostly prescribed. NSAIDs may have side effects like stomach bleeding, but your doctor is in a position of deciding if NSAIDs are good for you after reviewing your medical history.
Back Surgery for Chronic Pain
This is usually the last resort for Chronic back pain. A fusion procedure may be recommended, which involves cutting off the affected joint and then bonding together the vertebrae to decrease mobility. This alleviates pain in that area in some cases. Stabilizing and realigning your spine is another approach of easing pressure on nerves of your spine.
Chronic Back Pain Support Therapy
Treatment of back pain can also be achieved by a range of therapies. For instance, muscle strength and flexibility could be improved by physiotherapy. Occupational therapy can teach you strategies of joint protection. This can be training on picking up and carrying objects without causing pain in your back.
Self-Care through Gentle Exercise
Appropriate exercises boost your overall body health and also takes off pressure from your back and keeps joints supple in case you suffer from chronic back pain. Exercises such as stretching and walking are important. Activities such as tai chi, swimming, and water aerobics are also very helpful.
The Takeaway
In case you suffer chronic back pain or suspect you have Rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor will be able to assist you to get the correct treatment for your specific condition. Before you begin any fitness program or medication for your back pain, first consult your doctor.
