Nothing had really worked until I started seeing Dr. Alex Jimenez. The way he cares about his patients, that is what keeps on bringing me back. He does a great job and he really cares about his patients. – Araceli Pizana

 

Arthritis is considered to be quite a common health issue, however, it’s still not very well understood by many healthcare professionals today. As a matter of fact, arthritis isn’t a single disorder, but rather, it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or a joint disorder. There are approximately more than 100 distinct kinds of arthritis and associated problems. People of all ages, sexes and races can develop arthritis as it is the chief cause of disability in the United States. Over 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis while it often happens and is most common among women.

 

Common arthritis joint symptoms include pain, swelling and inflammation, stiffness and decreased range of movement. Symptoms of arthritis may come and go where these can range from mild, moderate or severe. They may also remain about the exact same for many years or it might advance and become worse over time. Arthritis may result in chronic pain which can make it difficult to perform tasks. Arthritis can additionally cause joint alterations. Frequently, although these modifications may be visible, such as knobbly finger joints, the extent of the health issue can be observed on x-rays. Some kinds of arthritis have an effect on skin, eyes, lungs, kidneys and the heart as well as the joints.

 

Common Types of Arthritis

 

The two most common types of arthritis which result in pain are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis generally occurs in people over the age of 60, however, it may also be a consequence of trauma from an injury, overuse and improper body movement mechanics. This sort of arthritis is characterized by the loss of cartilage that’s responsible for lubricating joints and distributing forces of motion. When you don’t have enough of it, the bones can begin to rub together and cause pain. Moreover, bone fragments may break away and may cause bone spurs to grow. The hands, knees, hips and back are the most common sites for osteoarthritis.

 

Being the most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis is considered to be one of the most prevalent causes for chronic pain symptoms. Common causes which can ultimately increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis include: excess weight, family history, age and previous injury, such as an anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, tear, for instance. Osteoarthritis can be prevented by avoiding injury and repetitive movements, maintaining a healthy weight and remaining active.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis generally occurs when the human body’s own immune system strikes; in other words, it’s an autoimmune disease. A healthy immune system functions by protecting the human body from intruders that can cause disease. Researchers believe that a combination of environmental factors and genetics can cause autoimmunity. Smoking is an illustration of an ecological risk factor that can cause arthritis in people with specific genes.

 

Nevertheless, in the case of an autoimmune disease, the immune system may go mistakenly attacking the joints, causing uncontrolled inflammation and potentially causing erosion of the cartilage in the bones. With this kind of arthritis, the lining of the joints become irritated and inflamed. Moreover, rheumatoid arthritis might damage other parts of the human body, including the eyes and internal organs. Symptoms include pain, swelling and soreness, inflammation, stiffness, and tenderness. Rheumatoid arthritis is found in the hands, wrists and toes, even in the hips and knees, if not treated properly. Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include: fever, weight loss, diminished appetite and continual exhaustion.

 

While there is no cure for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, a variety of treatment approaches can help people manage the symptoms of those afflictions. As a matter of fact, research studies have shown that chiropractic care can help manage arthritis. Chiropractic care consists of both passive and active treatment modalities. With these common types of arthritis, early diagnosis and treatment are fundamental. Slowing down the progress of the disease can help decrease and prevent permanent damage. Remission is the goal and it might be accomplished via the utilization of a combination of therapies. The objective of treatment is to decrease pain, improve functioning, and prevent joint damage.

 

Through chiropractic care, a doctor of chiropractic, or chiropractor, will review goals together with the patient as well as perform a full assessment of their condition to develop a specific treatment plan to meet their individual requirements and needs. A specialized treatment program for arthritis will help manage pain and improve strength, flexibility and mobility. Below, we will discuss the types of chiropractic treatment modalities and how these can help with arthritis.

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight

Before, arthritis was considered to be a natural consequence of aging, however, patients today can find a variety of treatment options to help manage the symptoms associated with this painful disease. Arthritis is simply defined as the swelling or inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and it is most prevalent in older patients. Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common type of arthritis, characterized as an autoimmune disease where the patient’s own immune system attacks the joints. This type of arthritis is most prevalent in younger patients. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective, alternative treatment option which can help manage the symptoms associated with arthritis.

 

Chiropractic Care for Arthritis Pain

 

Chiropractic care is a great treatment approach to manage and relieve pain caused by arthritis. Chiropractic care is a well-known, alternative treatment option which focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a variety of injuries and conditions associated with the musculoskeletal and nervous system, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Routine chiropractic care offers arthritis patients a safe and effective, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative treatment option to prescription opioids or over-the-counter pain drugs, or OTCs, that are generally given to patients to help them manage their own arthritis pain.

 

Chiropractic care utilizes spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, among other treatment approaches. Chiropractic spinal adjustments and manual manipulations reduce misalignments of the spine, also referred to as subluxations, as well as joint restrictions in the spinal column and other joints, improving the functioning of the bones, joints and nervous system. By enhancing your nervous system function, spinal health and increasing mobility, your body gets the ability to better manage symptoms caused by arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, chiropractic care may use passive treatment methods to help manage symptoms associated with arthritis. The passive treatment methods for arthritis are:

 

• Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Electrical stimulation
• Ultrasound
• Superficial heat
• Cryotherapy or ice packs

 

TENS can considerably help reduce pain from arthritis, tricking the brain into believing there’s no pain. Pain, muscle spasms, inflammation and soft tissue edema is reduced by electric stimulation. Ultrasound is a deep heating modality which helps deep joint tissues. It assists with swelling and inflammation as well as improving the structure of connective tissue. Heat reduces inflammation and swelling. Ice or cryotherapy packs will also be effective for arthritic pain. It’s useful for swelling and decreasing local inflammation. These passive treatment methods may be used alongside other alternative treatment options.

 

A doctor of chiropractor, or chiropractor, may even recommend a series of lifestyle changes to help promote healing and speed up the recovery process. If you are afflicted with pain, an exercise or physical activity program will address any impairments that could be contributing to the patient’s painful symptoms. Moreover, a chiropractor may also recommend nutritional advice. Research studies have found that some types of foods may cause pain and inflammation in arthritis patients.

 

Nobody should be living with pain. If you are experiencing challenges when performing daily tasks due to your arthritis pain, make sure to seek immediate medical attention from a qualified and experienced chiropractor, to achieve relief from your symptoms. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .

 

Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez

 

 

Additional Topics: Acute Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes for disability and missed days at work worldwide. As a matter of fact, back pain has been attributed as the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.

 

 

 

EXTRA IMPORTANT TOPIC: Back Pain Management