How to Relieve the Pain of Arthritis & a Herniated Disk in the Back
According to the staff at Mayoclinic.com, osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, causes cartilage between your spinal vertebrae to wear down over time. And a herniated disc is when cartilage the cartilage ruptures and the gel-like nucleus becomes displaced. This puts pressure on spinal nerves, which can cause pain, weakness and numbness in your back. Both conditions can occur simultaneously and pain management for both usually includes a combination of rest, ice, heat, medication and exercise.
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Instructions
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Take some time off from usual activity or exercise and rest. Take two ibuprofen pills every four to six hours until you are free of pain and inflammation.
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Put ice in an ice pack. Position the ice pack directly under the location of your back pain and keep it there for 15 to 20 minutes. Take the ice pack off. Repeat ice therapy every three to four hours until your inflammation has subsided.
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Moisten a small cloth, after 48 hours, and place it between your back and a heating pad. Lie on the heating pad for 20 to 30 minutes and repeat this treatment several times per day.
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Lie on the floor with your knees pointed up, once your inflammation is under control, and press your lower back to the floor. Hold that position for two to five seconds, then relax. Repeat this movement 10 times. Next, grab both of your legs and pull them toward your chest. Hold that position for two to five seconds, then relax. Repeat 10 times.
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Tips & Warnings
Apply ice right after the onset of pain. Ice will help reduce any inflammation or pain from your arthritis or herniated disc. Ice causes vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels), which minimizes inflammation and pain by limiting the flow of blood and lymph fluid to your injured disc. Once the pain has subsided, the heating pad can help promote blood (with oxygen and nutrients needed for healing) flow to the affected disc. Ice and ibuprofen should be taken right away.
Eventually, when your inflammation has been reduced, try to do some basic stretching exercises. This will also get blood flowing to the disc. Stretching can help keep your back flexible. Exercises such as pushing your back to the floor can help build strength in your lower back and hip muscles. This will increase stability in your spine and also help relieve pressure on the disc.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are two supplements that can help alleviate arthritis inflammation and pain.
Do not start exercising until the initial inflammation and pain have been minimized to some degree. Perform all exercise movements gingerly. And never perform any exercise movement that worsens your pain. Also, never bend over and twist simultaneously when you have a herniated disc. This can exacerbate your injury.
