If you suffer from arthritis, chiropractic care provides benefits that can help you ease discomfort. The first step is to determine which type of the disease you have. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an immune system response that affects joints, while osteoarthritis is caused by a degeneration of the joint and its connective tissues. Early detection is the key to getting treatment that will slow the degeneration of joints.
Early treatment with a chiropractor will aid you in reducing stiffness. One of the main reasons for pain, swelling and discomfort in osteoarthritis is that the joint isn’t used often enough. Mild stretching and therapeutic exercises are both ideal in the treatment of the disease. The first step that your chiropractor will take is to get x-rays of the joints that are affected by the disease. X-rays will help determine how much damage has been done and which types of therapies should be included in your treatment plan.
You will have several treatment options. Ice-heat therapy is commonly used to loosen the joint and increase blood flow to the area, which can aid in reducing inflammation, swelling and pain. Heat is used to relieve pain and increase circulation and ice is used to reduce swelling and inflammation. Your chiropractor will also include other therapies in your treatment plan to ensure you receive the full benefits of chiropractic care. For example, the use of spine alignment can reduce back pain caused by degeneration of the joints. Symptoms can improve in just a few sessions with your chiropractor.
The main goal of chiropractic care is to maintain the full range of motion in the joints of the body. Working with a chiropractor will help you find treatments that allow you to do the activities that you enjoy most without the pain and discomfort of stiff joints. You will typically need to see your physician and chiropractor over many years since this condition is a long term, or chronic, disease that will be with you for life. With the proper care you can enjoy life. Long term care is particularly important to remaining mobile, since the disease will worsen over time without the proper care.
As always, contact Premier Health Chiropractic for ways to relieve arthritis pain.