Menopause can increase the severity of Back, Neck and Joint Pain

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Menopause Linked to Spine and Joint Pain

As if the hot flashes, chills, night sweats, trouble sleeping, weight gain, irritability, irregular periods and dry skin weren’t enough, menopause is also associated with more spine and joint pain.

Female hormone levels begin changing for most women in their forties, but can be as early as mid-thirties.  This stage of hormonal change is called perimenopause.  The primary female hormone, estrogen, begins to become irregular. 

As the estrogen levels gradually become lower, women going through perimenopause and menopause are more prone to back and neck pain.  The changes that affect women in menopause can also lead to problems such as spinal disc problems, sciatica, spinal stenosis and spinal arthritis.

New research shows that as menopause progresses and estrogen levels become lower, this accelerates spinal disc degeneration.  The spinal discs are located between the spinal bones (vertebrae), and provide space for the spinal nerves to pass through.  This degeneration can lead to sciatica, pinched nerves and more back and neck pain.

Menopause can also be related to increased pain in knees, hips, shoulders, neck, wrists, hands, ankles, feet and even TMJ (jaw joint).

Researchers have been seeking the answer to explain the relationship between menopause and increased spine and joint problems.  Estrogen levels are involved, but are probably not the entire reason for the problem.

One effect of menopause that makes joint pain more likely is that the joint surfaces tend to become more vulnerable to damage.  As the joint surfaces begin to deteriorate, they become more sensitive.  Pressure on the sensitive joint surfaces from weight bearing, movement and strain cause joint pain. Synovial joint fluid also changes and this can lead to greater friction between the joints.

Changing hormone levels can lead to decreased mineral density (osteoporosis).  This can be painful at times and increases risk of bone fracture.

Many women that are experiencing increased joint pain after menopause consult their primary care doctor or gynecologist.  Treatments can range from hormone replacement therapy, herbal formulas, injections into the joints with drugs such as steroids, injections of synthetic joint fluid, pain medications such as Motrin, Aleve, Advil or Tylenol.  Sometimes topical pain creams such as Voltaren are tried.

Natural supplements such as glucosamine, Omega-3, collagen, MSM, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, probiotics, turmeric or curcumin are being used more frequently, often with beneficial results.

It is beneficial to address the hormonal aspects of the problem, since other symptoms beyond joint pain are involved.  Hormone therapy can make a big difference for some women experiencing menopause related pain.

Taking common pain drugs such as Advil, Motrin, Tylenol or others should be considered with great caution.  Research continues to establish the relationship between these kinds of medications and increased risks of serious side effects.

We have found that there are advantages in treating the joint pain in ways other than taking pain drugs or shots.  One concern is that the pain can tend to be persistent for months or years, and taking pain pills is simply masking or dulling the pain.  This also means the patient is adding yet another drug with increased risks of serious side effects to whatever drugs they are already taking.  Avoiding drug interactions is very important.

Another advantage to treating the spine and joint problems functionally as we do is that we are able to find effective ways to address the physical causes of the joint pain. 

The hormonal changes have led to a cascade of biochemical reactions that can result in joints being more prone to sensitivity, surface damage and other problems.  Often overlooked is the fact that there are also physical and joint functional problems that can be addressed to resolve the pain and eliminate the need for pain drugs.

One very effective way to reduce pain and increase movement for joints with surface damage is a new technology that reduces the pressure on the sensitive joint surfaces.  We use this advanced joint decompression technology for spine and knee problems.

We often coach chronic joint pain patients in sensible, conservative exercise and movement activities.  Obviously, if a joint is painful, doing exercises that are too strenuous can cause more pain.  This is not a case of “No pain- no gain.”  Being too demanding on joints that are injured or damaged can often make the problem worse, not better.

As with any exercise plan when pain is present, begin slowly.  Start by going through the motions with little resistance.  This will allow you to determine how much strain you can handle at the present time.  Very gradually, begin to increase the effort of the exercise.

Stretching can often help painful joints.  Much of the pain from arthritis and menopause pain can originate in the muscles, tendons and ligaments that attach to the joint.  Gentle, slow stretching can often help.

In our clinic, we have found two of the best ways to address menopausal joint pain are our LaserPlex Pain Therapy or Medical Acupuncture.  These treatments have been proven to be effective for many kinds of chronic joint pain.

Medical acupuncture can help with the joint pain, as well as hormone balance.  This can often make menopause much easier.  Patients report fewer hot flashes, better sleep and many other beneficial responses.

LaserPlex has helped reduce or eliminate chronic joint pain, even for patients with bone-on-bone pain and arthritis.

Most joint pain related to menopause, whether it be spinal pain affecting the neck or back or other joints, can be helped.

Dr. Mark Kestner