Arthritis is a term used to describe painful and inflamed joints. The inflammation can occur in a single joint or it can affect several joints. There are over 100 different kinds of arthritis but the most common of all are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. This condition affects both men and women but it’s more common in women. Studies also suggest that arthritis targets overweight and obese individuals. Aside from pain, joint inflammation also leads to a decrease in your range of motion. Redness is also evident on the skin surrounding the joint. The symptoms are more pronounced in the morning.
To better understand the nature of this condition let us first learn what a cartilage is. A cartilage is a connective tissue that protects your joints from the shock and pressure they receive when you move. When the amount of cartilage is reduced it can result to arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is normally caused by wear and tear. Injury or joint infection can aggravate cartilage breakdown. If anyone in your family has osteoarthritis, your risk is higher. Rheumatoid arthritis is another form of arthritis and is considered an autoimmune disorder. Your body will attack its own tissues including the synovium, which is a soft tissue found in your joints. This tissue is responsible for producing fluid that lubricates your joints and nourishes your cartilage.
If you have been experiencing pain in your joints we recommend you see a chiropractor. Although chiropractors are known for treating back and neck pain through spine manipulation, quite surprisingly, relief from arthritis is also an added benefit. Through the use of force, your chiropractor can correct misaligned joints. The techniques used will also enhance the relationship between your nervous system and your spine. Again, even though the procedure is focused on your spine it will positively impact all the organs of your body.
According to surveys, more than 60% of the American population believes that chiropractic treatment is safe and effective in treating arthritis. Here’s what you can expect from a chiropractic session.
What Can You Expect From Your Chiropractor?
Nobody wants to deal with pain. Most people take painkillers whenever they experience moderate to severe pain because these drugs are fast acting. Sadly, taking over-the-counter medications is not a long-term solution to pain. Aside from the fact that it can be addictive, it’s not good for your kidneys and liver. The beauty of chiropractic care is that it is completely drugless. You will not be taking any form of synthetic drug to be pain-free. Chiropractors use their hands to manually adjust your muscles, spine and joints using different degrees of force to address pain.
The force applied will depend on your specific case. It’s safe to say chiropractic care is highly personalized. You will be examined and interviewed and based on your results and answers your chiropractor will adjust the force applied. Gentle manipulation in your soft tissues will relieve pain and prevent muscle spams. It will also stretch your joints to improve range of motion.
Is It Safe To Use For Patients With Arthritis?
Yes, seeing a chiropractor for joint pain relief is safe and effective even medical doctors recommend it. However, if there is active inflammation or if you have osteoporosis or a fused spine, chiropractic care is discouraged, this is why you need to go through an interview process and evaluation to check if you qualify. The swelling must first be controlled before doing the adjustment. Chiropractic therapy is usually combined with electrotherapy, infrared sauna, ultrasound or low lever laser or otherwise known as cold laser.
Even though your chiropractor will not touch the affected joints, pain will still be relieved since they directly treat the muscles and tissues around it.