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Can Chiropractic Therapies Help Arthritis?

Chicago Chiropractor and Arthritis

Introduction

Arthritis is more often than not confusing to most patients.When some people hear this word they anticipate a future with crippled and twisted joints.  However “arthritis” is an all-inclusive word that includes many different conditions from the benign to the severe. For our purposes we will restrict this discourse to the most common forms of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care

Osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD) are the labels for the most common form of arthritis, which is also called, spondylosis, if it occurs in the spine. Essentially, the condition is due to the wearing out of the cartilage that lines the joint surfaces, and it is found not only in humans, but also in all mammals. Degenerative changes in the joint takes place when joint cartilage is damaged and causes stress to the sensitive bone tissue that is normally protected by the cartilage. Sometimes the bone around the joint will proliferate and make osteophytes, or what are more commonly called bone spurs. These spurs can produce painful irritation to other tissues surrounding the joint, in this way complicating the already painful condition. 

Degenerative joints principally occur in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, hips, and fingers. Everyone may experience DJD at one point in their lives, though previous trauma, ones occupation, activities, weight, diet, and heredity affect the degree of the condition and its onset.

The symptoms of DJD invariably involve some degree of pain and/or stiffness in the body part involved. If the weight-bearing joints, such as the hips or knees are involved, ones mobility can be affected particularly in the more advanced stages of the condition.  As a last resort joints can be surgically replaced with synthetic devices. This should be done only in severe cases where the joint is appreciably worn and movement is impossible without severe pain.

Prevention is always the best option, beginning at an early age.

  • Making sure that all injuries to joints are properly treated will help to avoid future problems.
  • People involved in occupations that demand standing or walking should wear suitable shoes that give good support and shock absorption.
  • Weight loss through proper diet will help to reduce stress on weight-bearing body joints.
  • Care should be taken to cushion knees from pain aad strain when kneeling on hard surfaces.
  • Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables as they have natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are crucial for the health of the joints, as well as the rest of the body.

Recent studies have shown that long-term use of the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can not only assist with DJD symptoms, but might help to rebuild joint cartilage.

Chiropractic adjustments are not only sound, but an effective treatment for arthritis, and can assist in restoring proper mobility and function to the spinal joints, thereby giving patients great relief. Your Chicago chiropractor has many of years of experience in helping people with arthritis pain. Other forms of chiropractic care may include joint mobilization, massage, ultrasound, cold laser, or electro-therapy, all of which may be helpful in the relief of painful and stiff joints. Sometimes a brace is used to help stabilize the joint in an effort to alleviate pain. A chiropractor may suggest exercises such as stretching, yoga, tai chi and other gentle mobilizing activities to help maintain arthritic joints.

Gout

An increased level of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints create gouty arthritis. Generally, gouty arthritis is characterized by severe pain and swelling of the joints in the big toes, knees, ankles and wrists. Most people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are generally brought on by binge eating of the wrong foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Foods that need to be avoided have a natural substance called buy Womens Intimacy Enhancer Cream online Purines that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. Individuals with this condition cannot properly metabolize uric acid, thus the proliferation in the bloodstream and the ensuing joint problems. The foods most connected with high purine content are: red meat especially organ meat, certain seafood, legumes, mushrooms and other foods as well. There are other dietary restrictions that must be followed including refraining inexpensive cialis from drinking alcohol.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is systemic in nature and thought to be produced by immune system dysfunction. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees, and shoulder, although other areas of the body can be affected as well. Morning stiffness made more painful by movement is generally associated with the disease. Often cialis without prescription people complain of general malaise and fatigue, and the disease in its more advanced forms can affect many of the other body systems. Rheumatoid arthritis can be easily identified through particularized blood tests. Though, currently, there is no cure, in addition to medication and vitamin and diet therapy, treatment should include chiropractic manipulations to mobilize joints and help to relieve the pain and stiffness associated with this disease. Additional modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy, and massage may also be beneficial. Your Chicago chiropractor is dedicated to helping people in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.

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