What Your Chiropractor Wants You to Know About Arthritis
It’s estimated that more than 50 million American adults have arthritis; that’s more than one out of every five people over the age of 18. Even more shocking is the future outlook. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that 67 million adults will be diagnosed with arthritis by the year 2030. That averages out to be approximately 25 percent of the entire population over the age of 18. Because arthritis is becoming increasingly common in our society, chiropractors are seeing growing numbers of patients with this painful joint condition.
Arthritis Concerns Us All
Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in this country. It’s considered to be a public health problem that everyone should be concerned about for the following reasons:
- It can prevent sufferers from working. About one out of three adults of working age who have arthritis find that their condition limits their work options in some way.
- Sufferers find it difficult to exercise. Research has shown that arthritis sufferers are more likely to live sedentary lives than other individuals, which increases long-term health risks.
- It frequently accompanies other chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
- The longer you live, the more likely you are to develop arthritis. One study found that osteoarthritis risk over a lifetime is 45 percent. Obese individuals are at even greater risk.
There’s no doubt about it—arthritis has a huge impact on our society.
Preventing and Controlling Arthritis
Like most chronic conditions, the key to fighting arthritis is to take a proactive approach. You can do this by taking the steps necessary to protect your joints at a young age. Because the most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is caused by wear and tear of the joints, it’s never too early to take preventative measures like these:
- Become physically active. Physical exercise may prevent osteoarthritis in two different ways: by reducing extra weight on the joints and by strengthening the muscles near the joints.
- Maintaining a healthy weight. Just a few extra pounds can have a huge impact on your joints over time, especially in the knees.
If you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis, you can follow the advice above and control your arthritis in the following ways:
- Talk to your chiropractor or physician to find out how to keep your physical condition from deteriorating.
- Get involved with support groups that can teach you how to manage your condition and improve your overall quality of life.
Arthritis is a painful reality of life for many people. If you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis, or think that you may be at risk, contact your chiropractic team for a treatment plan that will provide you with the relief you’re searching for.
Always consult your chiropractor or primary care physician for all your health related advice.