Pain Relief for Arachnoiditis

Arachnoiditis is an inflammation of the arachnoid lining --- one of three linings surrounding the spinal cord and brain --- caused by trauma, chemicals or infection introduced into or around the spine. Arachnoiditis is a painful condition that causes irritation, scarring and binding of the blood vessels and nerve roots surrounding the spinal cord. Although there is no permanent cure, arachnoiditis can be treated with a combination of pain relief medication, physical therapy and nerve stimulation.

Arachnoiditis Symptoms

• Arachnoiditis symptoms can develop three ways. Trauma or surgery on the spine can cause damage or irritation to the spinal column, allowing blood to seep in. Chemicals from myelograms --- a test in which dye is injected into the spinal area --- are now thought to be contributing factors to arachnoiditis. Other chemicals such as epidurals are also under scrutiny for promoting arachnoiditis. Infections such as fungal meningitis or tuberculosis may also cause arachnoiditis if not treated right away.

  Arachnoiditis symptoms predominantly include persistent pain in the lower back or legs combined with tingling, numbness, bizarre sensations such as insects crawling on the skin, muscle cramps and spasms as well as bladder, bowel or sexual dysfunction. If you experience any of these symptoms --- especially if you think you have developed arachnoiditis from trauma/surgery, chemicals or infection --- contact your doctor right away and report the symptoms.

Arachnoiditis Treatment

• Treatment focuses on relief of associated pain as well as improving symptoms affecting your day-to-day life. Have your doctor recommend a regimen of pain management, physiotherapy (massage), psychotherapy and exercise.

  Pain medication comes in the form of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), anti-spasm drugs, anti-convulsants and --- in the worst-case scenario --- narcotic pain medication. If your doctor feels it is necessary to prescribe narcotic pain medication, remember that narcotic pain medication can be highly addictive.

  Physiotherapy includes massages, hot-cold baths and hydrotherapy. Follow your doctor's orders for mild exercise to ensure the muscles of your back remain strong to support your spinal column. Getting too little exercise will exacerbate your condition.

  In some cases, electric stimulation or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) may improve mobility, lessen stiffness and enable you to continue your day-to-day activities. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is where a painless electric current is passed through specific nerves by means of electrode patches placed on your skin. Ask your doctor if Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation would help improve your arachnoiditis condition.

  Psychotherapy is necessary to combat the chronic pain you may be subjected to throughout this condition. It is important to stay positive and have the proper support structure in place to adjust to the physical and mental changes in your life brought about by arachnoiditis.