Types of Arthritis That Cause SI Joint Pain

Pain in your lower back can be caused by many things including muscle pain, soft tissue pain, or joint pain. The sacroiliac (SI) joints can also be a cause of lower back and arthritis pain. Similar to the knee, the SI joint contains cartilage which degenerates over time. Saroiliac pain can cause different forms of arthritis including: osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout. When you feel pain in your lower back or hips, the pain can originate from muscles, soft tissues like tendons and ligaments, or joints. But it’s not just the joints of the spine or the large…
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Gate Control Theory of Chronic Pain

In gate control theory, experiencing pain can be caused by a complex interaction of the central and peripheral nervous system and how they process pain signals. Pain is more complex than was previously understood, gate control theory of pain was created in the 1960s by Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall. Gate control theory of pain states that non-painful signals closes the "gates" to painful signals, preventing pain sensation from traveling to the central nervous system. And it gives reason to believe there can be psychological factors that influence the experience of pain. Depending on the situation pain can be experienced differently…
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Fracture Risk and Spinal Osteoarthritis

Many health factors can effect whether or not fractures are a risk in spinal osteoarthritis. Spinal osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis in general is more prevalent in women, is more common in women over 50; but can occur in men. OA related fractures in the spine may be an under-diagnosed result of spinal osteoarthritis. Fractures that do occur as a result of spinal OA can cause pain, changes in posture, and even limit independent function. Talking with your doctor about symptoms you experience related to osteoarthritis could help diagnose whether or not fractures are a risk. Spinal Osteoporosis and Fracture Risk Factors Due…
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Upper Back Pain

Upper Back Pain – It’s just Different The thoracic spine is complexly unique to other areas of the spine, making upper back pain different. Your neck and lower back tend to have greater range of motion and experience greater degeneration during the aging process do to mobility. Underlying conditions can also be the cause of upper back pain; but be less likely to have surgical solution because of the thoracic spine’s proximity to vital organs. Back pain regardless of where it originates in the spine can exacerbate enough to decrease your active lifestyle. In some ways upper back pain can…
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Stress Induced Lower Back Pain

Stress. It’s something all of us experience during our lives. But did you know stress could be a contributing factor of lower back pain? Whether it’s changing the way we carry ourselves, maintaining some physical activity, or finding outlets for tension (work, relationships, etc.) it is important to take care of our backs. Taking care of our backs is always important, especially so in times of stress. Avoiding physical activity can negatively affect one’s back pain. Reduced activity is understandable when healing from any kind of pain. Complete inactivity can actually decondition your low back muscles, contributing to the amount…
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RA Hand Pain Hacks

Pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, or (RA) can make everyday tasks a challenge. And there are assistive devices out there that can help save joints and minimize excessive energy output. There are hacks that for these devices can be used differently to save you money and further joint pain. Let’s start with hacks to save your hands, fingers, and wrists and repurposing some tools you may already have around the house in new ways. Here are four tips for giving yourself a helping hand Use a kitchen sponge for stability. When handling a mixing bowl with a pinching gesture, place…
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Leg Pain and Foot Pain Causes

Leg and foot pain can originate from other chronic conditions such as lumbar back pain. The nerves that control muscle functions in the legs are located in the lower back, and that’s where symptoms of leg pain can instigate in some cases. Symptoms of leg pain caused by the lower back conditions can include numbness, tingling, shooting pain, or foot drop. Degeneration in our vertebral spine happens as we age, resulting in lost disc flexibility, and can cause pain to radiate down the leg during movement. Leg and foot pain can be symptoms of lumbar degenerative disc disease, along with…
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McKenzie Method for Low Back Pain

Of the many frustrations back pain patients face, the lack of a standardized or uniform treatment approach is high on the list. Especially for those patients with longer-lasting symptoms of sub-acute pain (lasting between six and twelve weeks) or longer than twelve weeks (chronic back pain), treatment approaches are very inconsistent. While the McKenzie Method is successful with treating acute low back pain, it is also very helpful for those patients with sub-acute and chronic back pain. McKenzie Method Assessment and Treatment One of the benefits of the McKenzie Method (or McKenzie Therapy) is that it is a standardized approach to both the…
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Improve Diabetes Health With These 7 Must-Dos

By Riva Greenberg, Special to Everyday Health Medically Reviewed by Kelly Kennedy, RD A passionate diabetes patient-expert shares small but powerful changes that can help people with diabetes lead a happier, healthier life. Each year, we spend upward of a dozen hours with our healthcare providers, leaving more than 8,700 hours that we must take care of our diabetes. The decisions we make every day, such as whether to follow a healthy diet, make time to be active, adhere to our medication schedule, implement lifestyle changes to improve our lab results, and maintain a positive attitude — can have a major impact on our…
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Chronic Pain and Insomnia

Patients suffering from chronic pain often find their problems are compounded by insomnia and sleeping disorders. Among those with chronic pain, an estimated 50% to 80% have ongoing sleep difficulties. Back pain is the most common type of chronic pain problem, and is the most common medical disorder in industrialized societies. Back pain is also the chief cause of disability among those younger than 45. Not surprisingly, more than half of individuals with back pain frequently report significant interference with sleep. Research has demonstrated that disrupted sleep will, in turn, exacerbate chronic back pain. A lack of restorative sleep also hampers…
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