Arthritis and lower back pain are major concerns for adults as they age. A quick google search for the best treatments for arthritis in the lower back bring up articles suggesting pills, injections or surgery as well as a bunch of ads for supplements. While these can all help to manage symptoms of arthritis in the lower back they won’t do anything to help to prevent arthritis from getting worse and more importantly won’t help keep you active, strong, and doing what you love.
In this article we’ll look at why improving movement and safely building strength is the absolute best treatment for arthritis in the lower back available to everyone.
What Causes Arthritis in Lower Back?
The best treatments for arthritis in the lower back are the ones that address the root causes. In the simplest terms, osteoarthritis is caused by too much wear and tear on the structures of our lower back (joints, discs, vertebrae, etc). Too much impact on our spine over too long a period of time leads to the bony growth (arthritis) that is often seen on X-Rays (see picture below).
The Best Treatments For Arthritis In The Lower Back
Knowing that arthritis is caused by too much wear and tear on our spine, the best treatments for arthritis in the lower back are the ones that help us limit the impact that goes through our spine. This can only be achieved through improving movement and building strength.
Improving Movement Patterns
Movement patterns are how we coordinate movements to perform basics tasks (like reaching forward, lifting off the ground, or sit in a chair). Learning to hinge, lift, and squat protects our joints from the wear and tear that causes arthritis and ensures arthritis doesn’t not get worse.
Click here to read more about the importance of movement patterns in solving chronic joint pain.
Improving movement quality (like w/ the hinge) is one of the best ways to treat arthritis in the lower back.
Low Impact Strength Exercises
Building strength is the best thing you can do to protect your joints and treat arthritis in the lower back. Building strength in our hips, core, and postura muscles is important in avoiding lower back arthritis. Starting with low impact exercises helps you build strength without stressing your joints and is a great place to start.
Click here to learn more about low impact strength exercises for arthritis.
Low impact strengthening exercises allow you to build strength without stressing your joints.
Improving Flexibility/Mobility
A lack of movement or stiffness in your joints leads to more impact on the lower back, both directly and indirectly. By improving mobility of your mid back, hips, and ankles (yes ankles!) you will limit the impact that that goes through the joints of your lower back to treat arthritis.
Learn more about improving mobility and flexibility to treat arthritis in the lower back
Improving mobility and flexibility decreases the impact on your joints to treat arthritis
While the normal routine of pills, injections, surgeries often prescribed by your doctor can help with the symptomatic relief of arthritis symptoms, if we immediately go back to hammering our joints as we move through the day it’s only a matter of time before our arthritis gets worse.
Which is why I can confidently say that improving movement and bulding strength are the absolute best treatment for arthritis in the lower back. To help you get started I’ve put together a free guide titled, “How To Solve Lower Back Pain In 12 Easy Steps”. Download it at the linke below.
Limited By Back Pain? Start Your Recovery With Our Free Guide
How To Solve Lower Back Pain In 12 Easy Steps
Don’t let back pain from arthritis keep you from enjoying life. Be sure to check out some of our other back pain articles for even more helpful advice:
- What Causes Lower Back Pain? Treating The Root Cause
- How To Solve Lower Back Pain In Twelve Easy Steps
- What Causes Lower Back Pain? Three Movements To Master
- Causes of Low Back Pain: Three Areas To Strengthen
- Lower Back Pain Causes: How Mobility Issues Can Lead To Back Pain
- Best Exercises To Get Rid Of Lower Back Pain
- How To Fix Lower Back Pain: Three Places To Start
- Ten Step Guide To Treating Chronic Lower Back Pain
- Lower Back Pain Solutions: How To Improve Breathing For Less Back Pain
- The Best Low Impact Strength Exercises For Low Back Pain
- The Best Exercise For Low Back Pain You’re Probably Not Doing
- How Stiff Ankles Can Cause Lower Back Pain
- How To Find And Keep A Neutral Spine Position
Have had surgery some years ago in lower back for spinal stenosis and a herniated disk. Today have severe authorities causing severe pain. Also suffer some radiation damage from misdirected treatment that also hit the bladder.
Hey Murray,
Sorry to hear you’re in pain. Try these three back pain relief exercises to see if they help:
https://solvingpainwithstrength.com/best-exercises-for-back-pain-relief/
Stay in touch,
Dr. Baird
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