Can Chiropractic Care Help Arthritis
One of the most commonly misunderstood conditions among people is arthritis. Often the word, “arthritis,” inspires images of a future that includes crippled and twisted joints. But, many conditions from benign to severe are cataloged under arthritis. For our purposes, we will limit this analysis to the most common forms of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care
Osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD) are the terms for the most common form of arthritis, which is also called, spondylosis if it occurs in the spine. This form of arthritis is not limited to humans but occurs in all mammals, and is due to the breakdown of the cartilage that protects the joint surfaces. When joint cartilage is injured, the sensitive bone tissue that is normally protected by the cartilage becomes stressed causing degenerative changes in the joint. Now and then, osteophytes, or bone spurs, can occur when the bone around the joint proliferates. Bone spurs cause painful inflammation to other tissues adjacent to the joint aggravating the already grievous 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, one’s occupation, activities, weight, diet, and heredity influence the degree of the condition and its onset.
Symptoms of DJD
The symptoms of DJD perpetually involve some degree of pain and/or stiffness in the body part involved. As the condition advances, mobility can be lost, especially when weight-bearing joints such as hips or knees are involved. In some cases, if the joint is appreciably worn and the person can no longer walk without severe pain, the joints are surgically replaced with synthetic devices. Of course, one should try to manage the condition early on in one’s life to avoid the need for surgery.
The best management of DJD is, naturally, prevention which involves taking care of one’s joints at an early age.
* One should always be certain that, especially when young, all injuries to joints are correctly managed to ensure proper healing to avoid future disability.
* People involved in occupations that require standing or walking should wear appropriate shoes that provide good support and shock absorption.
* Weight loss through proper diet will help to reduce stress on weight-bearing body joints.
* Avoid kneeling on hard surfaces, such as when doing housework, as this can put strain and produce knee pain.
* The natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants contained in fruits and vegetables are vital for healthy joints and a healthy body.
Recent studies have shown that long-term use of the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can not only assist with DJD symptoms but can help rebuild joint cartilage.
Chiropractic adjustments aid in the restoration of proper mobility and function to the spinal joints. Chiropractic care is not only a smart idea, but extremely effective in relieving the debilitating pain of arthritis. Your Chicago chiropractor is highly experienced when it comes to arthritic pain relief. 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. Occasionally a brace is used to help stabilize the joint to alleviate pain. Movement is vital to the maintenance of arthritic joints. A chiropractor often suggests gentle, mobilizing activities such as stretching, yoga, and tai chi can be beneficial.
Gout
An elevated level of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints cause gouty arthritis. The most common joints are the big toes, the knees, ankles, and wrists, and are often characterized by acute pain and swelling. A large number of people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are more often than not brought on by binge eating of agitative foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Specific foods such as red meat (especially organ meat), certain seafood, legumes, and mushrooms contain the natural substance, Purines, that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. Since individuals with gout cannot effectively metabolize uric acid, the increase in the bloodstream causes joint problems. In addition to the foods specified and additional foods containing Purines, other dietary restrictions must be followed including the avoidance of alcohol.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is systemic and thought to be caused 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. The condition is generally associated with morning stiffness that is aggravated by motion. Often 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. Management includes medication and vitamin and diet therapy, as well as chiropractic treatments. In addition, joint mobilization and modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy, and massage can help with the pain and stiffness associated with the condition. Your Chicago chiropractor is dedicated to assisting sufferers in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.
Arthritis
Arthritis is generally confusing to most sufferers. Often the word, “arthritis,” produces fear of a future that includes crippled and twisted joints. However “arthritis” is a generic word that comprises many different conditions from the benign to the severe. For our purposes, we will limit this discourse to the most common forms of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care
The most common form of arthritis has many names: osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and spondylosis if it is in the spine. Essentially, the condition is due to the deterioration 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 occur when joint cartilage is harmed and causes stress to the sensitive bone tissue that is normally guarded by the cartilage. Sometimes the bone around the joint will proliferate and make osteophytes, or what are often called bone spurs. These spurs can cause painful irritation to other tissues surrounding the joint, thus complicating the already painful condition.
Usually, the areas of the body that develop degenerative joints are in the spine, principally in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, the hips, and the fingers. Previous trauma, certain occupations and activities, weight, diet, and heredity all appear to affect both the onset and severity of DJD.
Pain and/or stiffness in the affected joints are primary indicators of DJD. If the weight-bearing joints, such as the hips or knees are involved, one’s mobility can be affected especially in the more advanced stages of the condition. In some cases, if the joint is measurably worn and the person can no longer walk without severe pain, the joints are surgically replaced with synthetic devices. Of course, one should make an effort to manage the condition early on in one’s life to avoid the need for surgery.
Management of DJD
The best management of DJD is, of course, prevention which involves taking care of one’s joints at an early age.
* Making sure that all injuries to joints are correctly treated will help to avoid future problems.
* Shoes with proper support and shock absorption should be worn by those whose jobs require extended periods of standing or walking.
Weight loss through proper diet will help to decrease stress on weight-bearing body joints.
* Care should be taken to protect knees from pain and strain when kneeling on hard surfaces.
* The natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants provided by fruits and vegetables are crucial for healthy joints and a healthy body.
Recently, some studies have shown that the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can help with DJD and may help rebuild joint cartilage. However, it must be used over time and not in all conditions.