Arthritic back pain, ranging from mild to severe, can occur at any time. Back pain that comes on suddenly may occur as a dull ache or sharp pain. Rest and over-the-counter pain relievers will help relieve some of the pain. When back pain continues for more than three months, it is considered chronic pain. When your back pain continues for more then a few days, it needs evaluation by a doctor to check for underlying causes. If the diagnosis includes arthritis, you can take steps to prevent and relieve the back pain associated with it.
Step 1
Eat a balanced diet fortified with minerals and vitamins. This can help your body tissues and muscles to work better, the Arthritis Foundation indicates. Decreasing the consumption of fat will help you fight obesity and have a healthier back. Body fat makes it more difficult to move and causes problems involving the body’s structure support system, such as the muscles and ligaments. Excess weight can put extra strain on the spine as your back struggles to maintain an erect posture, causing sometimes severe back pain from the constant stress of supporting the weight.
Step 2
Work to improve your posture. Good posture helps the body’s weight to distribute itself equally, says the Arthritis Foundation. Keeping the spine straight while sitting and standing will help prevent extra strain on areas of arthritis pain in the back. When you slump, the muscles pull away from the back and rib cage, which contributes to back pain. Tightening the abdominal muscles and exercising the core of your body also will help support the back.
Step 3
Quit smoking, or don't start. According to the Arthritis Foundation, people who smoke may experience back pain. The U.S. National Library of Medicine indicates that lower back pain, although not necessarily connected to arthritis, tends to occur in people who smoke. According to Cure-Back-Pain.org, smoking can raise the risk of disc degeneration in the spine. Smoking can also raise the risk of developing spondylosis, which can lead to osteoarthritis in the spine at the neck, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 4
Sleep on a firm mattress that supports the back. A firmer mattress can help relieve or reduce arthritic back pain. The back requires support not only when you are awake, but when you rest and sleep too, the Arthritis Foundation says. Sleeping on the stomach can put extra strain on the back.
Step 5
Keep your stress level down whenever possible. This will help to keep the back muscles relaxed, the Arthritis Foundation indicates. When you become stressed, the back muscles tighten and cause pain. This can irritate whatever arthritic condition may already exist in your back. Counseling can help if you need stress reduction support information.
Step 6
Use hot and cold packs on your back to help relieve pain. The coldness of the pack will relieve the irritation and inflammation of arthritis that occurs in your back. The hot pack will bring more blood circulation to the muscles of the back, easing the pain.
Step 7
Take NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, either purchased over-the-counter or in stronger doses prescribed by your doctor. These types of medicines, which include naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin, etodolac and celecoxib, among many others, work specifically to reduce the inflammation of arthritis that causes pain and stiffness.
