Chiropractic Care for Arthritis Sufferers
By Sara Butler
Arthritis is a condition experienced by approximately 350 million people around the world, with 40 million of those being in the United States. To say it’s a common condition is an understatement, and if you suffer from arthritis you know the pain that can be involved. If you have this painful condition, chiropractic care may be able to help – here’s how.
Arthritis – What is it?
Arthritis is defined as joint inflammation. It is an umbrella term for over 100 conditions involving the joints. Generally it is broken down into two categories: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the result of normal wear and tear on the body that can be accelerated by excessive use of the joint. Rheumatoid conditions are the result of an autoimmune condition. Both conditions can cause:
- Swelling in the joints
- Pain in the joints
- Loss of function
- Fatigue
- Symmetrical symptoms that occur on both sides of the body
- Joints warm to the touch
- Stiffness in the morning or after being sedentary for a period of time
Risk Factors for Arthritis
There are several risk factors for developing arthritis. They include:
- Being over the age of 65
- Arthritis that runs in your family
- Being overweight
- Previous injury to the joint
- History of joint disease causing inflammation
- Joint or bone disorders
- Repetitive joint use from sports or work
What You Can Do
There are a few strategies you can employ to try to reduce your risk of developing osteoarthritis. They include:
- Exercise
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Avoiding repetitive motion
- Protecting an injured joint
How Chiropractic Can Help
Arthritis is not a condition that can be cured, but it can certainly be managed in order to reduce pain and keep your joints flexible. Chiropractic treatment for arthritis often includes the mobilization of stiff joints and removal of subluxations from the spine so the nerves can communicate with the joints freely. A chiropractic adjustment also helps your body to function optimally so that it can work as it should and heal itself, helping to reduce symptoms.
Your chiropractor may also recommend heat therapy to help reduce pain and inflammation. Nutrition plans can also be quite helpful in assisting you to avoid foods that may make inflammation worse. Light exercises may also be recommended that can aid in keeping your joints flexible.
If you suffer from arthritis, you should discuss it with a chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic today. They may be able to offer you natural and effective treatments to help manage your arthritis symptoms.