(254) 776-1030
Chiropractic treatment for arthritis is an excellent option if you’re looking for a healthy and more natural way to manage your arthritis. We’ll get into the specific ways behind this concept today.
Carrying out regular everyday tasks may be challenging if you have arthritis, characterized as the wearing out of any joint in the body. If symptoms and joint damage are serious enough, traditional medical care frequently entails painkillers, injections, and surgery (most frequently, a very invasive joint replacement). These solutions, sadly, may have unfavorable possible side effects.
Chiropractic treatment for arthritis is a non-invasive, safe, and natural technique to manage the pain and symptoms of arthritis. The kind and severity of arthritis vary. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two primary kinds of arthritis for which chiropractic therapy might offer relief. To relieve inflammation and alleviate misalignments and limitations in the joints, chiropractors employ a variety of procedures, including chiropractic adjustments.
The chiropractor performs different tests, takes X-rays, and requests a thorough medical history before beginning any therapy to restore the movement and function of the body fully. This allows the chiropractor to recommend the optimum chiropractic adjustments for the patient’s condition.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition that develops as individuals age because the cartilage cushions the joints and deteriorates. It often affects the knees, spine, hips, and fingers joints and is prevalent in seniors 60 years of age and beyond. It is the main factor in joint discomfort and a kind of arthritis that affects people often. People who engage in repeated motion at work or are athletes are susceptible to osteoarthritis. To reduce pain, chiropractic therapy attempts to move the joints and release pressure. The destroyed cartilage, however, cannot be replaced.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Inflammation of the tissues around the joints and in the joints causes rheumatoid arthritis. It’s an autoimmune condition wherein the immune system attacks the body’s tissues. Reduced joint fluid and tissue produce friction, which results in swelling and excruciating pain. Misalignments of the spine only make matters worse. Restoring nerve connection with chiropractic treatment for arthritis enables the body to operate properly, lowers inflammation, and relieves pain and other symptoms.
What Sets Rheumatoid Arthritis Apart from Osteoarthritis?
Though they may sound alike, these two are not the same thing. Since both conditions have similar symptoms in the early stages, many persons with rheumatoid arthritis receive incorrect diagnoses of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis results from regular bodily use, but rheumatoid arthritis is a complicated condition. An autoimmune condition that inflames the joints is rheumatoid arthritis. Although osteoarthritis can lead to inflammation, it does not do so to the same extent as rheumatoid arthritis.
In America, osteoarthritis affects about 27 million people. Although it can start at any age, it frequently happens after age 65.
Only 1.3 million people in the United States have rheumatoid arthritis, which can strike at any age but often does so after 30.
What Causes Osteoarthritis, and Why?
The common condition is brought on by the body’s regular use and wear and tear. As we age, this chronic condition gets worse. This condition can be brought on by repetitive motions in certain jobs and sports and by old injuries that don’t heal properly. There is also a genetic risk factor, which means that you are more likely to develop this disorder if one of your parents did.
What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Why?
Since rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, it is unclear what exactly is to blame. When a person’s antibodies attack the body’s healthy joint tissues, they develop this type of arthritis.
Although most scientists think genetics is to blame since this condition affects more women than men, other potential causes include environmental factors or hormonal imbalances.
What Causes Pain in Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis both damage joints, but in different ways. A single factor does not cause all conditions associated with arthritis. Different types of arthritis have different pain causes.
Various causes can result in arthritis pain, including immune system dysfunction. This is the leading cause of RA. On the flip side, injury can lead to OA. Torn cartilage, ligament injuries, and dislocated joints from sports injuries can cause arthritis pain. Knee-related trauma caused by sports injuries can be quite problematic.
You stress your joints by carrying excess pounds. If you are obese, you have a higher risk of experiencing arthritis pain. Excess weight particularly stresses your spine, hips, and knees.
Your arthritis pain may also be due to genetics. Some arthritis types, including OA, run in families. You are more likely to experience arthritis pain if your siblings, parents, or grandparents have arthritis.
Most types of arthritis are associated with various triggers. Still, some types of arthritis are unpredictable and lack any apparent cause. Some individuals may be more genetically predisposed to develop arthritis, like osteoarthritis. Factors including previous injuries, smoking, infection, and physically demanding jobs can increase the risk of arthritis pain.
Challenging occupations that repetitively strain your joints may cause wear and tear. You may also develop joint pain if you kneel, squat, or climb stairs for hours. Physical labor can lead to stiffness and joint pain.
The risk of arthritis pain increases with age. Older adults are more likely to have joint problems. The symptoms of OA typically manifest once one reaches 70 years. However, arthritis pain isn’t limited to older adults. Young adults may also experience arthritis symptoms. This is often caused by trauma.
What a Chiropractor Can Do for Arthritis
Holistic chiropractic treatment for arthritis is non-invasive, natural, and simply a great option for feeling great in your skin when dealing with arthritis symptoms- whether OA or RA causes it. Plus, if you’re at high risk for developing arthritis because of certain lifestyle factors or your history, they could also preventatively help you. What treatment techniques could a chiropractor employ to help you feel your best?
Let us dive into some top options, although your exact chiropractic treatment for arthritis plan would depend on your needs.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Recognizing any misalignments within your body and addressing them with appropriate gentle adjustments is a good treatment tool for arthritis in any joint. Better alignment is equal to better tissue health, nerve function, and less strain on the joints. There’s a reason that adjustments are a common part of chiropractic therapy for their effective role in managing pain and beyond. A chiropractor could recognize even the most subtle misalignments to allow you to feel your best.
Natural Pain Management
There are lots of holistic ways to manage arthritis pain that your chiropractor could review with you as needed. You can try the most cost-effective options in the clinic to choose if they work for you. Then, you could consider transitioning to employing these modalities at home. Options might include mechanical traction, electrical stimulation, ice, and heat- to name a few.
Biomechanical Training
When your joints are better aligned with adjustments, a proper understanding of movement will minimize the risk of continued wear and imbalance on the joints. Your chiropractor can help design an exercise and stretching program focusing on adequate muscle strength and flexibility. Your chiropractic treatment for arthritis program would emphasize functional movements that allow you to learn to move properly with your daily activities. Completing daily tasks without limping or an awkward posture could make all the difference in future joint health.
Lifestyle instruction
Making educated judgments about every aspect of your life is the key to truly effective arthritis management. Making the proper decisions in all aspects of your health is the key to well-rounded, holistic health (the full body, mind, soul, etc.). Chiropractors are aware of this and may assist you in achieving long-term health. Stress management, mindfulness, weight management, sleep quality, diet, and other factors all play an important influence on your capacity to feel great and manage your arthritis with fewer complications.
And more, much more!
Because a chiropractor sees your body as a complex, interrelated system, they can assist you in seeing small variations that can be addressed with the appropriate chiropractic treatment for arthritis. No such things as coincidences exist in holistic health. There is usually a reason why one system influences another. Your chiropractor can assist you in knowing the best course of action for your arthritis.
Treating the Symptoms
Please understand that chiropractors cannot cure your arthritis. At this time, there’s no cure for this ailment. They can, however, help to alleviate the symptoms and slow the progression of the illness through proper chiropractic treatment for arthritis. They may use spinal adjustments and other treatments to address the condition. These options can include the following:
- Hot and cold therapy
- Ultrasound treatments
- Massage
- Electronic muscle stimulation
- Physical rehabilitation
- Magnet therapy
Can a Chiropractor Diagnose Arthritis of the Spine?
Yes, they can. Your chiropractor will use a three-step process to determine if you have spinal arthritis. These steps include:
1) Conduct a Complete Medical History
This will include a description of your symptoms, how long you have experienced them, if they have changed over time, and when the symptoms appear to be worse or what makes them better. Your lifestyle habits will be discussed, as your family history and what, if anything, you have tried for pain relief.
2) Perform a Comprehensive Physical Exam
This will include an inspection of the spine and neck, range of motion, and muscle strength, and might even include a few exercises to determine the exact location of the problem or if certain movements cause more pain than others.
3) X-Rays
Chances are that the doctor will order x-rays to look for damage in the joints of the neck and spine. X-rays show bone spurs, loss of cartilage, and compression fractures, if any. Almost everyone over 60 will have some degenerative changes, but this doesn’t mean they have osteoarthritis.
If your chiropractor believes you might have rheumatoid arthritis, he will refer you to the appropriate medical professional for further testing.
The Best Results
With an inflammatory disease like arthritis, the best results are achieved by attacking it at all angles. If necessary, this means working with your chiropractor for effective chiropractic treatment for arthritis. In addition to their care, a healthy diet and active exercise regime will help move you in the right direction toward a healthier outcome. If you or a loved one have arthritis, don’t hesitate to call us today. We are here to help in any way we can!