The Chiropractor May Help Your Arthritis
By Paul Rothbart
Arthritis is a fairly common affliction. It occurs when the joints swell and feel tender. Arthritis can inflict any of the joints and causes stiffness and pain. Range of motion in the joint may become limited. It's a debilitating condition that tends to get worse as we age. The two most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the joints begins to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis is a more system autoimmune disease. The immune system begins to attack the linings of the joints, damaging them. Pain medication can temporarily bring relief and there are several treatment options. For a holistic, non-drug approach chiropractic care should be considered. Chiropractors do more than just work on the back. Rather, they look at and treat the entire body. Chiropractic treatment may be able to relieve arthritis symptoms.
What the Chiropractor Will Do
At the first appointment, the chiropractor will check your medical history and do an examination of your joints. From this, treatment options will be determined. A chiropractor is trained in over 150 techniques for adjusting the spine, joints, and muscles. Depending on the type, severity, and where the arthritis pain is, the chiropractor will decide which techniques will work best, if at all. You will be referred to another type of doctor in the event that it is determined that chiropractic treatment will not be effective. Rheumatoid arthritis is beyond the scope of chiropractic, but it may be very effective for relieving the pain of osteoarthritis.
Safety
The thought of someone pushing and prodding the spine and joints might sound scary. But in truth, chiropractic is one of the safest treatments for osteoarthritis. For example, a fuller range of motion may be restored to a stiff knee by manipulating the tissue. A pelvic adjustment could realign the bone structure placing less stress on the joint. A chiropractor is trained in how the spine and the joints are connected and affect each other. Something like a fused spine or active inflammation are not viable for chiropractic treatment. Your chiropractor will be able to recommend the best options.
Opinion of the Medical Community
Back when chiropractors were the new kids on the block, they had not yet earned the respect of the medical community. Over time, evidence began to show the effectiveness chiropractic could have. In fact, The American College of Physicians in 2017 released new guidelines that fully support the use of chiropractic treatment for low back pain and other conditions. Mainstream medical journals are also recognizing chiropractic as a treatment that may be effective for back and joint pain. This includes the potential for pain relief from some forms of arthritis.
Arthritis is painful and can be an impediment to quality of life. Several options of pain relief are available. Before reaching for medication that could have side effects, considering dropping into your local The Joint Chiropractic and finding out if this form of treatment may be right for you.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in North Knoxville, Tenn.