The back is a fairly complicated structure consisting of 24 bones called vertebrae. These vertebrae are stacked on top of one another like pancakes with the skull resting on top and the pelvis sitting on the bottom (pun intended). How are these bones connected? The anterior part of the vertebra is connected by discs and the posterior part of the vertebra is connected by facet joints.

The discs and facet joints work together to provide tremendous flexibility. In addition, there's a hollow channel in the spine through which the spinal cord runs. Without getting into too much anatomical detail, there's a whole bunch of action going on in the back. Between the muscles, joints, ligaments, and nerves, something is bound to go wrong in that part of your body at some point in your life.

How Do I Know if I Have Spinal Arthritis?

I personally started experiencing back trouble in my early twenties because of an injury I sustained in junior high. The back is a highly sensitive and highly important part of the body and injuries to that part of the body should be handled with responsibility and respect.

Back arthritis, an ailment that primarily affects senior citizens, can be crippling if not handled properly. The following symptoms could indicate spinal arthritis: stiffness in the morning, fleeting pain, tenderness or numbness in the neck, numbness in the arms or legs, trouble bending or walking, pain or tenderness in the knees, hips, heels, or shoulders, the sound of bone rubbing against bone. Any combination of these symptoms could mean you have spinal arthritis.