Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is inflammation within the digestive tract. The most common being ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Ulcerative Colitis affects 334 people per 100,00 and Crohn’s Disease 306 people per 100,000.
Osteopaths will ask you about inflammatory bowel disease during your history due to the correlation between ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and arthritis. 30% of people with Crohn’s Disease could develop arthritis at some stage of their life. This is more likely if the Crohn’s affects the large intestines.
Common types of arthritis that are linked with inflammatory bowel disease include;
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Ankylosing Spondylosis
- Reactive Arthritis
The presentation can look like this:
- Low back pain
- Stiffness
- Fatigue
- Swelling in joints
- Family history
If you have been diagnosed with IBD, you may notice a correlation between flare ups and body aches and pains. The low back is the most commonly affected region by IBD due to the anatomical link between the two. Our intestines are surrounded by a structure called mesentery. It envelops the stomach, small intestine and large intestines to attach to the low back and hold it in place. When these areas are affected by inflammation, it places pressure on the mesentery and therefore the low back.
Osteopaths are able to treat low back pain associated with arthritis and IBD. Call or book online to learn more about Inflammatory Bowel Disease and low back pain on 0422 639 369