Relief from Neck Strain

Health Problems That Can Cause Arthritis Symptoms

by Sophie Hill

If you suffer from middle or lower back pain, you may have osteoarthritis. While back pain is commonly caused by arthritic conditions and other degenerative diseases of the spine, other medical disorders cause the same symptoms. Here are some health problems that can mimic the symptoms of arthritis and what you can do about them.

Kidney Problems

Kidney problems cause a myriad of symptoms, ranging from mild to debilitating. The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, ankle swelling, itching, fatigue, and changes in urination. Muscle cramps and lower back pain are also common, and if you have a kidney infection, you may develop flank pain, which refers to pain in your back, abdomen, and sides.

Your kidney-related back pain may be mild, and you may attribute it to arthritic changes in the spine or osteoarthritis, especially if you do not experience any other symptoms. Make an appointment with your chiropractor, who will examine your spine and other structures in your back. If he or she is unable to uncover any structural causes for your back pain, you will be referred back to your primary care physician for further evaluation.

If your doctor tells you that you have kidney disease-related back pain, you have a number of treatment options. Chiropractic care such as spinal adjustments and therapeutic massage are two treatment options that  may help ease your back pain so that you don't have to take pain medications.

Both prescription and over-the-counter pain medication can be dangerous for those with kidney disease, so non-pharmaceutical treatment options may be a better choice when dealing with back pain.

Herniated Disc

If one of the discs in your back becomes herniated, it may press on your spinal cord, causing back pain.  Also known as a bulging disc, a herniated disc can cause mild to severe back pain, morning stiffness, and impaired mobility.

Symptoms of a herniated disc can be identical to those of arthritic conditions, and while conservative treatments such as pain medication, physical therapy, and rest can help ease your pain, surgery may be your only long-term option.

Before agreeing to surgery, explore all of your options, including alternative treatments such as chiropractic care. Not only can chiropractic treatments help minimize your back pain, it can also help improve the quality of your sleep.

People who have herniated discs often experience severe pain, which prevents them from sleep. Chiropractic care helps eliminate the pain, and if you get therapeutic massages, you will enjoy the benefits of endorphin release. Endorphins, also known as "feel good hormones," help diminish the perception of pain, relieve anxiety, and promote restorative sleep.

If you have back pain, make an appointment with both your primary care doctor and a chiropractic physician, such as at Aurora Chiropractic Clinic, to determine where your pain is coming from so that your treatment can begin promptly.  

Share