Fighting Arthritis? Keep Moving & See Your Chiropractor
When arthritis starts to slow everything down, the best advice is not to stop, but to keep moving safely.
Arthritis can really be a moving target
Some people go through mild arthritis that comes and goes. But people with severe arthritis feel ongoing pain that often lasts for years, damaging joints and impacting lives.
The American Chiropractic Association says exercise is critical in successfully managing arthritis. It helps to maintain strong muscles, keep joints flexible and functional and control weight. They suggest a balance of rest to decrease joint inflammation and pain, followed by activity during periods of pain remission.
ACA suggests regular exercises. Range of motion exercises like stretching and dancing can build muscles that are needed to support the joints. Aerobic or endurance exercises, like walking, biking and swimming should be used to improve the cardiovascular system, control weight and keep muscles toned. They caution patients to watch for symptoms after exercising. If lingering tiredness, weakness, loss of range of motion, joint swelling or more pain occur see the chiropractor to find the best way to modify exercises.
I have seen both sides of the arthritis picture. Some seniors feel the stiffness, soreness and pain and simply do less. Other seniors refuse to accept the limitations and do everything they can to stay active and hang onto their world.
If you or someone in your family is faced with the challenge of arthritis, a chiropractor may be able to help.
Visit the Chiropractor
The chiropractor’s visit starts with a spinal adjustment to evaluate spinal health. Then a review of daily activities and medical history follow. The chiropractor’s goal will be to seek to relieve pain and help maintain normal routines without medication or surgery. As the chiropractor evaluates arthritis, an individualized exercise program may emerge. Selecting exercises that fit the senior’s lifestyle and appeal, the chiropractor’s goal will be help restore loss of range of motion, improve strength and flexibility, and help create stronger more toned muscles. Advice on better nutrition is often included too.
The end result, in cases that I have seen, helps seniors hang in there, gardening, playing with grand-kids, working on hobbies, fishing and walking. Along the way the chiropractor monitors progress and helps smooth out any glitches. Overall, I think these arthritic seniors have the best answers. They are holding their own and still enjoying their world.
See your chiropractor for more answers now.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Wendi Hammond