|
Integrated
Treatment for Arthritis-Related Back Pain in Monmouth County
Back
pain is a ubiquitous problem that, in some cases, may be caused
by arthritis. Arthritis is broadly
described as inflammation in the joints of the body; it can cause
serious and debilitating pain. In particular, Osteoarthritis can
be experienced in the weight-bearing bones of the back, and is caused
by mechanical stress on the joints of the spine.
Mechanical
stress is caused by an atypical loading of weight on the back and
spine and may be the result of trauma or abnormal posture. With
time, the bones of the spine may be forced to accommodate this abnormal
stress and loading. In such cases, bone cells known as osteoblasts
are activated to produce additional bone (known as bone spurs).
These form on the weight-bearing joints of the spine and can cause
inflammation and pain.
For
some arthritis/back pain sufferers, inflammation causes the spinal
canal to narrow, which leads to compression of the spinal cord and
nerve roots.
Osteoarthritis/Back
Pain Symptoms
Pain
is experience not only in the back, but can also be felt in the
neck, shoulders, arms, and legs. Pain is often exacerbated by movement,
leading to immobility and reduced quality of life. Other symptoms
may include weakness, numbness and
tingling, and (in some cases) bowel
or bladder problems.
At
Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation, we have incorporated a medical
doctor specializing in pain management and disorders of the musculoskeletal
system. Medical care for arthritis pain management works closely
in conjunction with a number of conservative, effective modalities
for treating arthritis, including acupuncture (for pain relief),
physical therapy (to focus on restricted mobility), and chiropractic
care (to address poor posture and reduce pain and inflammation).
Arthritis,
Back Pain, and Spinal Injections
When
arthritis causes enough pain that it undermines the ability to rehabilitate,
spinal injections may be used. These involve the injection of a
long-lasting steroid in either the epidural space (Epidural Steroid
Injections) or in the joints (Facet Joint Injections).
Because
arthritis is a condition of inflammation in the joints, joint injections
are a particularly relevant treatment. The facet joints are found
between the vertebrae of each spinal segment. Arthritis and back
pain sufferers often experience an improvement in mobility and reduced
pain through Facet Joint Injections.
Monmouth
Pain and Rehabilitation for Arthritis-Related Back Pain
The
paradigm of care at our Red Bank pain management and rehabilitation
facility is to help patients reduce pain and return to normal functioning
with as little surgical and/or pharmaceutical intervention as possible.
This type of care uses a healthy, cooperative approach between multiple
modalities (traditional medical care, physical therapy, acupuncture,
chiropractic) to ensure that every treatment option is available
to patients in one place. This makes the pain management and rehabilitation
process easier and more effective for patients.
Please
contact our office, located in Red Bank,
NJ. to learn more about arthritis and back treatment in Monmouth
County.
|