Arthritis and joint pain can be debilitating. Arthritis means “joint inflammation” and includes swelling, pain, and stiffness of the joints. Inflammation that occurs over a long period of time will eventually wear out the cartilage that lines the joints surfaces, causing permanent damage to your joint’s protective tissue.
CAUSE OF ARTHRITIS AND JOINT PAIN
The cause of arthritis will depend on the form of arthritis. There are two common types of arthritis that commonly develop in patients. Most common is osteoarthritis, which occurs when cartilage between the joint gradually wears away, or is damaged. Causes of osteoarthritis include physical injury, metabolic abnormalities such as gout, hereditary and genetic degeneration, and bacterial and viral infections. Another common form of arthritis is rheumoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints due to cartilage tissue being mistakenly attacked by the body’s own immune system. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not completely understood, but is primarily believed to be genetic.
DIAGNOSING ARTHRITIS AND JOINT PAIN
A significant percentage of patients who experience arthritis and joint pain and discomfort do so as a result of disease or physical injury. Arthritis and physical injuries are primarily diagnosed by your primary care physician by means of X-Ray and MRI imaging, that can depict the erosion of cartilage and the inflammation between the joints. When rheumatoid arthritis is suspected, blood tests are used to confirm the presence of a rheumatoid factor, a non-specific antibody used to identify the disease.
CHIROPRACTIC CARE AND TREATMENT
Arthritis and joint pain primarily affects the joints that are most frequently used in daily activity, including the hands, knees, spine, hips, shoulders, elbows, and even the toes. There are many painful symptoms that arise as a result of arthritis, primarily burning, cramping, numbness and general pain in the joints. As a result, a patient with arthritis may experience reduced mobility, function and strength of the joint.
Chiropractic care addresses arthritis by correcting joint and spine dislocations that contribute to inflammation. Chiropractic adjustment can also help to increase the body’s range of motion, improving mobility in the joint. Often, a chiropractic care plan for a patient with arthritis will include massage therapy, and dietary and nutritional guidance to help a patient recover as quickly, and completely, as possible.
Our treatments include: