Arthritis Pain

What Is Arthritis?

The word arthritis means “joint inflammation.” The condition of arthritis is a collection of 100 diseases that cause painful inflammation of the joints. Conditions with an arthritis component can also affect the tissues around the joints and other connective tissues. Some diseases that have arthritis as a symptom include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Lupus
• Gout

Common Causes of Arthritis

Since arthritis encompasses so many conditions, the causes of arthritis vary wildly. Osteoarthritis or OA is one of the most common conditions that drive patients to search for an “arthritis chiropractor near me.” This condition is the most common form of arthritis in the hips, knees, and hands of our patients older than 60 and results from “wear-and-tear” on the joints over time. In this condition, the joint’s cartilage wears away, and the structure of the bone surrounding the joint changes causing increased swelling, stiffness, and pain.

Another form of arthritis our chiropractor for arthritis sees frequently here at West Suburban Wellness is rheumatoid arthritis or RA. This is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s joint tissue, most frequently in the hands, wrists, and knees. Since the immune system mounts an attack, potent inflammatory biochemicals are released that can affect multiple joints simultaneously. Joint tissues are damaged as the lining of the joints swell, leading to chronic pain, impaired balance, and changes in the shape of the affected joints. The systemic nature of RA means that it can also affect the eyes, lungs, and heart.

Symptoms of Arthritis

According to our arthritis chiropractor, our patients with arthritis almost always complain of pain and stiffness. While we can’t entirely ever know what pain feels like to another person, we can measure the functional impact of arthritis by testing range of motion, grip strength, and other physical traits. As a result of speaking with many patients over the years, our chiropractor for arthritis can get a good understanding of how arthritis is impacting everyday activities for each patient.

Patients with RA typically experience pain and stiffness in multiple joints and have comparable symptoms on each side of the body. For example, both wrists or both knees will be affected simultaneously. Fever, fatigue, weakness, and weight loss also occur due to RA due to the intense autoimmune battle happening throughout the body.

One feature that makes RA particularly challenging for patients to live with is that it is a flaring condition. The symptoms of RA can appear suddenly after a period of relative calm. This is known as a flare. The unpredictable nature of RA means that arthritis chiropractic treatment for patients with RA must include an intensive lifestyle coaching component to limit the impact of RA on their everyday life.

Arthritis Chiropractic Treatment at West Suburban Wellness

Here at West Suburban Wellness, our chiropractic for arthritis focuses on relieving pain and addressing its underlying causes. Although this can widely vary between patients, interventions that reduce inflammation help reduce pain and promote movement. Chiropractic for arthritis treatments also enhances flexibility and restores range of motion.

Patients with OA and patients with RA who are between flares can benefit from chiropractic adjustment. This treatment restores healthy alignment to the spine and other areas affected by arthritis. When joints are correctly aligned, the nerves inside and near them can carry accurate messages between the brain and body. This can help promote blood circulation and regulate immune system activity.

Massage and therapeutic heat or cold packs are two simple interventions that can provide pain relief quickly. Massage warms the tissues surrounding the joints while bringing additional blood to the area. We can use cold and hot packs in prescribed orders to reduce inflammation and diminish stiffness.

Since arthritis can profoundly impact everyday life, lifestyle interventions are crucial in living with this condition. Whether a patient has OA or RA, following an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fresh produce, fish, and other healthy foods is helpful. Gentle exercise is also excellent, and our team enjoys creating custom therapeutic exercise plans for our patients with arthritis.

Ready To Reap the Benefits of Chiropractic for Arthritis?

If you’ve read this guide and wondered if chiropractic for arthritis might be right for you, you’re not alone. Here at West Suburban Wellness, our chiropractor speaks to new patients every day who want relief for their arthritis and are curious about the benefits of chiropractic care. If you give us a call today, we’ll be glad to schedule a consultation so you can discuss your options for arthritis chiropractic treatment.