May is Arthritis Awareness Month

There are many types of arthritis and related conditions, all of which can cause pain, inflammation, swelling and joint stiffness throughout the body.  Several of these types of arthritis often affects the neck and spine. They can include:

Osteoarthritis
This is one of the most common forms of arthritis of the back and occurs when the cartilage that sits between vertebrae breaks down and can no longer create the cushioning effect it was meant to.

Osteoporosis
Those with osteoporosis have bones that lose enough mass that they become brittle and prone to breaking even with the slightest trauma. It frequently affects the spine in the form of compression fractures caused by the weakened vertebrae.

Rheumatoid arthritis 
A chronic inflammatory disease that most commonly affects joints such as fingers, ankles, knees, but it can also affect the facet joints of the spine.

Psoriatic arthritis
Along with the common effects of arthritis, patients with psoriatic arthritis also have the skin condition psoriasis. Some patients can experience bony overgrowths the spine that can cause two or more vertebrae to fuse together which leads to increased stiffness.

Fibromyalgia
This is an arthritis-related condition that is characterized by chronic, widespread muscle pain and fatigue, often with lower back pain a frequent complaint.

Check out our tips below to help those living with a rheumatological condition and suffering from back and neck pain. (Click to enlarge the image)

May is Arthritis Awareness Month

While back and neck pain may be avoided with these tips, if any pain or discomfort persists, make an appointment with one of First State Spine’s specialists.

Always check with your physician to see if these tips are safe to follow based on your health history.