Can Chiropractic Care Help Osteoarthritis?
By Lana Bandoim
Osteoarthritis can make it difficult to walk across the room or open a cabinet door. Patients struggle to do basic activities such as going up the stairs or grasping a pencil. Osteoarthritis can affect the back, neck, knees, hips, hands and other joints. Whether you suffer from swelling or stiffness, visiting a chiropractor can help.
Supporting Research
Researchers compared patients who received either chiropractic treatments or moist heat treatments. They found that chiropractic treatments were more effective in reducing the pain associated with osteoarthritis. In addition, chiropractic care increased the patients’ range of motion and improved the quality of their lives.
Patients who received moist heat treatments saw some improvement, but it was less significant compared to those who had chiropractic treatments. In addition, moist heat took longer to reduce pain and did not eliminate it completely. However, researchers recommend using a combination of chiropractic and moist heat treatments for maximum relief.
Long-term Results
One of the benefits of chiropractic care is long-term pain reduction. Researchers evaluated patients during several early stages of treatment and after 20 weeks of treatment. They found that those who received chiropractic treatments had less pain and felt better. Long-term visits to the chiropractor show clear benefits for patients. One treatment is usually not enough to see results.
Living with Osteoarthritis
Do you struggle to walk in your house and avoid going outside? Is the limited range of motion forcing you to rely on others for basic tasks such as dressing in the morning or opening a package of food? Osteoarthritis is hard to ignore, but help is available.
Osteoarthritis is a debilitating disease that affects the joints. The degeneration of the joints happens slowly over time, but chiropractic care can help. It is often preferred over non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because the medications have side effects.
By visiting a chiropractor on a regular basis, you can stay more active. Chiropractors can help reduce some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis. They can also improve joint and muscle function. In addition, they can offer advice about nutrition and ergonomic changes.
Stop letting osteoarthritis control your life. The symptoms will not disappear on their own. Instead, visit The Joint Chiropractic’s convenient locations that accept walk-ins. The Joint does not require an appointment, so scheduling hassles are eliminated. A chiropractor can help you reduce pain and increase mobility. Consider getting a personalized care plan to help manage your osteoarthritis.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.