We all see the commercials on TV for people who suffer from arthritis. If you do not have arthritis then you do not really understand the debilitating nature of this disease. People with arthritis must deal with constant stiffness of their joints. This stiffness causes pain and decreases their mobility. There are many causes of arthritis and some particularly tough conditions. One such condition is arthritis of the lumbar spine. Because the lumbar spine is so critical to the body’s movement and walking upright, arthritis in this area can be very tough on the individual. There are a number of natural treatments targeted for arthritis in the lumbar spine including physical therapy, surgery, and massage chair therapy.
Arthritis in the lumbar spine, or the lower back, is a common problem and one which can cause a variety of symptoms. Lumbar spine arthritis is more common in older people; however, it does affect people in other age groups. Some people are more prone to developing arthritis in the lower back than others. Those that are obese, those who are involved in heavy labor, or those who have suffered a previous injury to their spine are more prone to this condition.
Arthritis of the lumbar spine happens in the joints that connect each segment of the spinal column, or the vertebrae. When the joints become arthritic, movement in the back becomes stiff and painful. Lumbar spine arthritis sometimes occurs along with other spinal conditions such as disc degeneration and spinal stenosis.
When you have arthritis of the lumbar spine you will experience stiffness in the lower back. Sometimes the stiffness can result in severe and prolonged pain. You may notice when you rise out of bed your back is stiff. This can also happen after strenuous activity or when using your lower back muscles more than usual.
In many cases the arthritis can worsen and as the soft tissues degenerate bone spurs can form. When bone spurs form they inflame the surrounding soft tissue. This inflammation causes the nerves to become pinched resulting in spinal stenosis.
When arthritis attacks certain joints, the first activity is the restoration of flexibility. In certain cases the inflammation may be severe and require anti-inflammatory medicine. Surgery is usually a last resort. Chiropractors use natural methods to heal the spine. Chiropractors may warm up their patients in massage chairs prior to a spinal adjustment.
If you are not a severe case, then the doctor will try natural methods first. You may be sent to physical therapy to help rebuild the muscles in that area. Another avenue is chiropractic care. A chiropractor will look to adjust your spine to help redistribute the weight across the spine. The chiropractor looks to the restore the health of the soft tissues and muscles.
To help increase flexibility of the joints, movement of those joints is necessitated. First a stretching and bending of the muscles is performed. This can be very painful in the beginning but must be overcome in order to regain flexibility. Massage therapy is often used to help relieve pain and to restore elasticity of the muscle tissue.
Massage chairs deliver consistent and reliable massage therapy on demand. To reduce stiffness through time, massage must be applied on a periodic basis. This helps to improve the range of motion of joints as the soft tissues and tendons. Restoring flexibility is the key to reduce aches and pains as well.
Of the many types of arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis is one of the most difficult to cope with. There is a constant pain and stiffness of the lower spine. This restricts the movement of individuals and disrupts their routines. Take control back over your routine and get relief when you need it. Check with your medical provider as to the best options in your situation. See if massage chair therapy is right for you.
Tags: Lower Back Muscles, back pain relief, Causes Of Arthritis, Strenuous Activity
