What is Arthritis of the Spine (Neck and Back)?
Arthritis is commonly thought of as a result of degeneration or wear and tear due to the ageing mechanism in the spine. But there can be different types of arthritis in the spine with different mechanism acting in the spine, wear and tear being one of the type. In this blog we will discuss what is arthritis of the spine (neck & back) in simple terms, that can help you understand your back and neck arthritis pain and also the common type of arthritis seen in the spine. 
 
Arthritis is commonly seen in the neck and back, but not so common in the midback. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis or OA of the spine. This involves wear and tear or degeneration of the spine. This leads to break down of the cartilage, i.e. the protective covering on the bone that forms the spinal joints. This leads to aches and pains which is known as osteoarthritis of the spine. The same mechanism causes OA in the knee joints. 

You can find more details on spinal degeneration in this video:
 
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 As OA starts
 off as a mechanical problem, bending forwards or twisting of the spine gets more painful as the condition progresses. If you have had past injuries, fractures or trauma to your spine, you are more prone to developing OA later in life. 
 
The next type of arthritis seen in the spine is Rheumatoid arthritis. You may have heard of rheumatoid arthritis in the small joints in the hands, but it is also quite common in the small joints in your spine, especially your neck. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune condition where our immune system starts to attack the synovium (covering on the joints) rather than attacking the pathogens (viruses, bacteria etc) that it is supposed to. This leads to inflammation and pain in the spine. Rheumatoid arthritis can be a very painful condition, specially when it occurs in the neck. 
 
Another type of arthritis is Ankylosing Spondylitis. This condition also causes inflammation in the spine and it can be a very debilitating as it progresses. The vertebra get fused together and spine starts loose its mobility. All movements such as bending forwards, backwards, sideways, etc become restricted and very painful. 
 
This is a broad outline that there are common types of arthritis in the spine.

If you want to learn more about how to manage arthritis and degeneration of the spine (back/neck), you need to address inflammation in your spine/body. Inflammation is the basic cause of most diseases that cause spinal (back & neck) and joint pain. You can find out more about managing your inflammation in a free 11 days jumpstart HERE.
 
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MEET SWATI

 
Hi there! 
I am Swati, an Executive Mum Power Coach & Certified Posture Expert

I help mums of young kids working in high-stress executive jobs manage back, neck, and nerve pain, even with low energy, brain fog, and little time to spare. My proven system delivers real relief without stealing hours from your already packed day. The result? More productive professionals at work and guilt-free mums who can be fully present with their kids, instead of being sidelined by pain.



My passion comes from personal experience. I’ve been where you are: in pain, overwhelmed, and exhausted. After two pregnancies in three years, juggling my kids, housework, and a demanding job, I was stuck in a constant cycle of back and nerve pain. The physical load of motherhood added strain to my spine and joints. Meanwhile, adrenal fatigue left me drained, even after 10–12 hours of sleep.

Everyday tasks became a struggle. I was forgetful, foggy, and low on energy. Even as a trained physiotherapist and posture expert, I couldn’t escape my own pain. I stood all day at work, spent evenings on the laptop, rocked my kids to sleep, sat through endless meetings, traveled frequently ... I’ve been through it all.

I kept my pain hidden at work, afraid to speak up. I felt like a fraud, someone who coached others on relief strategies but couldn’t find relief herself. I loved my job and my children, but I couldn’t give 100% to either. Pain was holding me back.

One New Year, I made a resolution: to get healthy, not just fix pain, fatigue, or weight. I focused on reducing inflammation, healing my adrenal fatigue, and reclaiming my energy. Slowly but surely, the pain faded. I lost weight, my brain fog cleared, and my energy skyrocketed. Today, my pain is nearly gone. I feel stronger, clearer, and more in control than I have in years.
And now, I want that for you.

I combine professional expertise with lived experience to support other mums like me, those with young kids, high-stress jobs, and no time for complicated health programs. I’ve helped hundreds of women reduce spinal and joint pain, lift their energy, and clear the mental fog that holds them back.

If any of this resonates, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. I got you, mommy!

Let’s get you feeling strong, confident, and fully present at work and at home.
Are you ready to start? Curious about how this works? Just ask.

Let's DO THIS!
xx Swati
** Executive Mum Power Coach **

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