Can Chiropractic Help Arthritis?

What is arthritis?

Put simply, arthritis is inflammation in the joints which result in joint pain, stiffness and limited range of movement. There are over 200 different varieties of the ailment. While it is generally associated with age, it can also affect young people. It can strike almost any area of the body, with each region having a different cause and name. In some cases, arthritis can cause damage to soft tissues and muscles, like the heart and lungs.

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. It results from repeated trauma to the joint and becomes more common in the elderly. This is the ‘wear and tear’ type.

Other common forms of arthritis include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common form in which the body’s immune system attacks the joint.
• Psoriatic arthritis, another autoimmune form of arthritis.
• Ankylosing spondylitis, also a type of arthritis where the body attacks itself.
• Septic arthritis, which is caused by a viral or bacterial infection of the joint

Can chiropractic help arthritis: what a chiropractor does.

A Doctor of Chiropractic, also known as a chiropractor, is a health professional that focuses on restoring and maintaining proper joint alignment and movement. Their specialty focuses on adjusting the spine to correct misalignments that may be impinging on nerves (which may cause pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness) or causing joint degeneration.

As chiropractors, when we help someone with their arthritis pain, we start with our examination process. Our exams include orthopedic, neurological, and physical exam tests, as well as any necessary X-rays or MRI. When you look at the X-ray or MRI you’re going to see things like degeneration of the cartilage, as well as the growth of bone spurs, which are called osteophytes. Osteophytes are bones spurs that form around the joint because it is not moving properly and the body is trying to fuse itself together.

So in chiropractic when we see bones in the spine, or any bones or joints in the body that are not moving properly, our focus is to get the bones back into the right alignment and to get them to move properly. In other words, we work to restore the proper range of motion and the flexibility of the joint so that it functions better.

Regular visits to a chiropractor can not only restore health throughout the body but also help alleviate neck pain, back pain, and other symptoms associated with an improperly aligned spinal column. They can also work with their patients to plan exercise and stretching routines to assist management of muscle tightness, inflammation, and pain. Most insurance carriers cover visits to a chiropractor on at least some level.

Chiropractic care or medication? 

The most common treatment for arthritis is medication, which can take down the inflammation and swelling and reduce pain. However, chiropractors can be of great help in managing arthritis. While medications work, it has long-term health risks such as impairing healing, damage to the stomach lining and internal bleeding.

By visiting a chiropractor you may be able to reduce your reliance upon these medications while managing your pain and symptoms naturally. A chiropractor can:

• Improve your range of motion by keeping your spine in line
• Improve endurance and flexibility
• Increase your strength and muscle tone
• Help you develop a dietary and nutritional plan to reduce inflammation naturally

Can chiropractic help arthritis: treating the cause.

Dr. Rowe giving adjustment

Please understand that chiropractors cannot cure your arthritis. At this time, there is no cure for this ailment. They can, however, help to alleviate the symptoms and slow the progression of the illness. At SpineCare, I personally use a range of therapies, along with chiropractic care, to help treat inflammation and pain caused by arthritis. These therapies may include:

• Heat therapy
• Stretching and exercises
• Trigger point therapy on muscles
• Electronic muscle stimulation
• Physical rehabilitation
• Spinal Decompression Therapy

The best results.

With an inflammatory disease like arthritis, the best results are achieved from those that maintain their condition with proper treatment, especially with chiropractic care. In addition, a healthy diet and active exercise regime may also help move you in the right direction toward a healthier outcome.

If you, or someone you know, are suffering with arthritis, don’t hesitate to give us a call today at 269-408-8439. We’re here to help in any way we can!