Arthritis affects most individuals who are over the age of 50 years and can cause arthritis back pain. In fact over 80% of the population will have some sort of pain associated with arthritis. Arthritis affects every part of the body, even causing back pain. The spine is made up of many vertebrae. Discs that support the spine and allow the spine to move connect the vertebrae. There are many other muscles and ligaments that are attached to the spine and let your limbs move.

Arthritis in the spine occurs when the cartilage or discs wear down. The wear and tear can be from aging, injury, bone spurs, bone overgrowth, or misuse. The pain from arthritis is from swelling when the bones rub together as the cartilage is no longer protecting the joint. Arthritis can cause pain and stiffness in the neck or lower back. Cervical arthritis affects the neck and upper spine. Arthritis in the pelvic and lower back is known as lumbar arthritis.

Individuals who participate in specific activities or have certain lifestyles are much more likely to have spinal arthritis than others. Older individuals, women, athletes, individuals who use their joints a lot for work or play, overweight individuals, and those who have many injuries are at risk to develop arthritis back pain.

People with arthritis and other diseases like liver disease, cancer and diabetes that run in the family, those with weakened immune system, and spinal deformities are all more likely to develop spinal arthritis. Women are at greater risk of developing arthritis than men.

Symptoms of spinal arthritis include stiffness, pain, inflammation, back pain that comes and goes, morning spinal stiffness, pain or tenderness in the neck, lower back pain that extends to the thighs, pelvic area or buttocks, pain in the hips, heels, knees or shoulders, crunching feeling or the sound of bone rubbing together, and numbness or weakness in the arms or legs. Walking is sometimes difficult, with limited range of motion and sometimes spinal deformity.

If you are experiencing severe back pain then you should consult your doctor. The doctor will take your medical history and you should give as much detail as possible about when your pain began and any other health issues you may have or have had. Your doctor will usually have you do some simple exercises and you need to inform him or her when it hurts.

Spinal arthritis has many symptoms in common with more serious diseases and you need to get a diagnosis as soon as possible. With a correct diagnosis, treating arthritis back pain effectively is much easier.