Various physical therapies seem to work well when it comes to pain management for arthritis-related back pain or back pain in general. Moderate exercise, including yoga and tai chi, are also a great help for certain individuals. Finding a way to get rid of pain is up to each person, because symptoms are different for everyone.
Hot Therapy
Warm showers can relieve painful symptoms, and bathtubs with water jets or a hot tub can offer pain-relieving water massages, the AARP reports. Heat lamps, heating pads or heat packs can do the trick to relieve back pain, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Some people find relief from warm baths and wrapping themselves in clothes soaked in hot water. You can use warm therapy in the morning or just before bedtime, depending on when your arthritic pain is worst.
Heat Frequency
Radiofrequency ablation, a heat energy method used in the doctor's office, can destroy or stun the nerves of painful joints and can be great therapy for people with chronic, arthritis-related back pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. This technique provides relief for people with pain in the spinal area and the upper buttocks region. Doctors apply the heat energy for 1 to 2 minutes. This appears to destroy nerve tissue that causes pain. The technique also can be used in a pulsing manner to stun the nerves, but patients seem to get more relief from the 1- to 2-minute, continuous therapy. The procedure can be repeated if the arthritic pain returns.
Cold Therapy
Cold packs also can relieve back pain. The cold numbs affected nerves and helps the person psychologically by drawing his or her mind away from the pain. Cold packs are available in stores, or you can make your own by wrapping a towel around a bag of ice or frozen vegetables. Place the pack on the affected area. Either lie on your stomach and apply the pack or put a towel between you and the back of a chair, then lean on the chair back for relief. The towel prevents the ice from directly touching the skin. Do not use ice packs for more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time, the Arthritis Foundation advises.
Exercise
Physical activity can help build up the muscles in the back and lessen painful flare-ups. However, the severity of your back pain will determine when you start any kind of exercise program. A physical therapist can help you decide. Vigorous exercise might be too much. But mild exercises, such as tai chi, have been shown to help people in pain. Tai chi uses slow movements and has become a popular exercise program for many elderly people who suffer from imbalance. Yoga stretches and strengthens muscles in the back, building support.
Medication
Medication can work by itself or in conjunction with other activities that help relieve back pain. Avoid using pain medication for long periods of time. However, reducing pain can help get you moving and motivate you for other therapies, the Arthritis Foundation explains. Medicine can include over-the-counter ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin or acetaminophen. Your doctor also might prescribe antidepressants and muscle relaxants for severe pain.
