Leading Arthritis Chiropractor
Arthritis is more than just a part of aging and aches and pains. If you or a loved one are suffering from arthritis pain, our chiropractors here at Health From Within can effectively alleviate and sometimes eliminate arthritis pain with chiropractic care. Our expert team has put together this guide to help our patients understand arthritis chiropractic treatment and this disease.
What Is Arthritis?
Simply put, “joint inflammation” is the definition of arthritis. Painful inflammation of the joints can be caused by a condition of arthritis from a collection of 100 diseases. Tissues around the joints and other connective tissues can also be affected by conditions with an arthritis component.
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Lupus
Gout
Arthritis Common Causes
The causes of arthritis can vary wildly because it can have so many conditions. One of the most common conditions that can lead a patient to search the internet for an “arthritis chiropractor near me” is called Osteoarthritis or OA. Our patients, here at Health From Within, that are over 60 have developed this condition in the hands, knees, and hips from “wear-and-tear” of the joints over time. When this condition occurs, the joint’s cartilage will begin to wear away and the structure of the bone around the joint starts to change, which causes pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Rheumatoid arthritis or RA is another form of arthritis that is frequently seen by our Health From Within chiropractors. RA is an autoimmune condition where the immune system accidentally attacks the body’s joint tissue, most often the knees, wrists, and hands. When this attack by the immune system occurs, vigorous inflammatory biochemicals are released which can affect multiple joints at the same time. This leads to damage to the joint tissues and the lining of the joints swell which causes a change in the shape of the affected joints, impaired balance, and chronic pain. The heart, lungs, and eyes can also be affected by the systemic nature of RA.
Arthritis Symptoms
Here at Health From Within, our arthritis chiropractor has observed that pain and stiffness are almost always the biggest complaints from our patients. Because the amount of pain is immeasurable from person to person, the range of motion, grip strength, and other physical traits can be measured to determine the functional impact of arthritis. Over the years, our chiropractor for arthritis has obtained a deep understanding of how arthritis has impacted everyday activities for each patient.
RA patients generally have stiffness and pain in many joints and their symptoms are similar on each side of the body. For instance, both knees or both wrists can be affected at the same time. An intense autoimmune battle throughout the body due to RA can result in weight loss, weakness, fatigue, and fever.
One reason that RA can be extremely challenging for our patients to live with is that symptoms can arise unexpectedly and without warning which is known as a ‘flare’. RA symptoms can be very unpredictable which means it’s important that arthritis chiropractic treatment for RA patients includes an intensive lifestyle coaching piece. Adding this component to ongoing chiropractic care helps limit the impact of RA on our patients’ everyday activities.
How Chiropractic Works To Alleviate and Eliminate Arthritis Pain
Most people think that cracking patients’ backs or other joints into alignment is how chiropractors spend their time. However, this type of therapy must be carefully assessed against possible risks even though good alignment and chiropractic adjustments can definitely help.
Our arthritis chiropractor here at Health From Within always practices extreme caution. Arthritis chiropractic treatment must also address immune dysfunction because RA is caused by a vigorous cascade of hormones, biochemicals, and immune cells. These cases typically require additional interventions.
Our Chiropractic Treatment for Arthritis
Relieving pain and addressing any underlying causes are what our chiropractic for arthritis focuses on. Our interventions that reduce inflammation can help promote movement and reduce pain, but this can widely vary from patient to patient. Enhanced flexibility and restored range of motion are what chiropractic for arthritis treatments can help accomplish.
Chiropractic adjustments can benefit patients with RA and OA when they are in between flares. This treatment can also help other areas affected by arthritis and restore healthy alignment to the spine. The nerves inside and near the joints will carry accurate messages between the body and brain when they are correctly aligned. This will also regulate immune system activity and promote blood circulation.
Two simple interventions that can provide pain relief quickly are therapeutic heat or cold packs and massage. Bringing additional blood to the area and warming the tissues surrounding the joints are some ways that massage can help. We can also reduce inflammation and diminish stiffness by using hot and cold packs in prescribed orders.
Lifestyle interventions are crucial in living with this condition since arthritis can significantly impact your everyday life. Following an anti-inflammatory diet rich in healthy foods like fresh produce and fish can help patients with RA or OA. Our team at Health From Within enjoys creating custom therapeutic exercise plans for patients with arthritis because gentle exercise can be beneficial.
Reap the Benefits of Chiropractic for Arthritis
You’re not alone if you think chiropractic for arthritis could be right for you. Here at Health From Within, our chiropractors have daily conversations with new patients that are curious about the benefits of chiropractic and how it can help provide relief from their arthritis pain. Be sure to give us a call today at Health From Within. We'll be glad to schedule a consultation so you can discuss your arthritis chiropractic treatment options.