First aid for episodes of back and neck pain can work surprisingly well. Here are some of the most effective first aid treatments you can try at home. Pain medication - Two main types of medications can be very helpful for relieving many types of back pain: acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Possible causes - Some factors increase your risk for developing facet arthritis and the aches and pains associated with it. They include Osteoarthritis: Having a joint problem in your hand or foot doesn’t mean you’ll develop arthritis in your spine. However, joints that are not aligned due to inflammatory arthritis, injury, or subsequent arthritis can lead to greater wear and tear or damage to other joints. That’s why having osteoarthritis somewhere in your body can ultimately lead to arthritis in the joints of your spine.
Treatment - OA doesn’t have a cure. Instead, the goal of treatment is to manage pain and then reduce contributing causes that make symptoms of OA worse. The first step in treating OA is to decrease pain. This is often done with a combination of medications, exercise, and physical therapy. Treatment for OA is often tailored to a person’s lifestyle and what triggers pain and soreness.
The use of some type of physical therapy or exercise is integral to almost all forms of back and neck pain treatment. Sometimes physical therapy and exercise are the first lines of treatment, other times it may help manage chronic pain or provide rehabilitation after surgery. But did you know that both gentle back exercise and physical therapy play a vital role in relieving pain? Physical therapy and exercise are perhaps the most mainstream of all non-surgical treatments for back pain and neck pain. And unlike other conservative treatments (medication, injections, etc.), physical therapy can also help prevent and/or lessen future recurrences of back pain or neck pain. Below are 6 steps you can take to get pain relief from incorporating physical therapy or another kind of exercise into your routine.
Do I have to get out of bed? - Can’t stand up straight without wincing in pain? Neck so stiff you can barely move it? Is twisting to get in or out of the car an awkward, painful dance? Neck and back pain can be annoying. It might be a sign of a simple muscle spasm or ligament strain, but persistent neck or back pain can also be caused by a more serious condition, such as arthritis of the facet joints.
What is osteoarthritis? A lifetime of walking, exercising, and moving can take a toll on your cartilage — the smooth, rubbery connective tissue covering the ends of bones. The degeneration of cartilage can cause chronic inflammation in the joints, which may lead to arthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. OA is also known as degenerative joint disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 30 million adults in the United States have OA. That makes OA one of the leading causes of disability in adults.
The little things we do every day to stay healthy really add up. The healthier your habits, the easier it will be to help keep your back and neck healthy and minimize painful episodes.
Sit less - Sitting is stressful for your spine. Recent health news is buzzing about how sitting too much can cause early death. Consider getting a sit-to-stand desk at work. At the very least make sure you are getting up and walking around every 30 minutes.
There is no known cure for arthritis. In fact, most treatments for arthritis are aimed at early recognition and prevention. Genetics can increase your likelihood of developing arthritis, as can a strong family history of the disease. Women are also more prone to arthritis than men. You may try to prevent arthritis and still develop the disease. However, you can take actions to reduce your risk:
1. Maintain a healthy weight. This can help to fight off OA.
2. Don’t smoke, or quit smoking. This may reduce your chance of developing RA.
3. Try to avoid injury when playing sports or participating in recreational activities.
4. If your job requires a lot of pushing, pulling, or lifting of heavy objects, take precautions to avoid injury to your joints.
5. If your job calls for a lot of typing, practice good posture. If necessary, get a special keyboard, wrist cushion, or pad.
Is someone in your life suffering from back pain? While it is disconcerting to see a loved one in pain, there are things you can do to help them gain control of their pain as they progress through rehabilitation. If you're the one with back pain, consider forwarding this blog to a loved one who can help you out. The social buttons above are an easy way to share the article via social media networks. The tips here outline how friends, family members, and colleagues can make simple changes that show the person with back pain that you do understand and want to help them.
You likely know someone who has arthritis — or perhaps you have it yourself. Arthritis is a common condition. It has wide-ranging effects on multiple areas of the body and can involve any major joint. It most commonly affects the larger joints of the extremities, such as Wrists, Fingers, Knees, Hips, Ankles. However, arthritis can affect any joint in your body.
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