If you have arthritis, you are probably on pain medication; however, you may have noticed that this only does so much to relieve your symptoms. While some people find medication sufficient for pain management, for many others, this is not a long-term solution to their arthritis concerns. If you have arthritis and are looking for alternate treatment, consider chiropractic care. As more and more people visit chiropractors every year for a variety of pain conditions, it is becoming more and more apparent that this is a highly effective treatment method for many different conditions, including arthritis.

Arthritis Overview

Arthritis is the deterioration of the joints within the musculoskeletal system, which causes inflammation, leading to pain and stiffness. This is an incredibly common condition in the U.S.; it is estimated that 80 percent of Americans over age 55 have some form of arthritis. In some cases, the pain associated with arthritis is so severe, even small, everyday tasks are too painful or difficult to accomplish.

Arthritis can affect everyone in different ways and in various parts of the body. People can experience arthritis in their fingers, wrists, knees, shoulders, spine, and even toes. Symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, burning sensation, cramping, inflammation, numbness, spasms, stiffness, and loss of muscle control. Arthritis can be caused by a variety of factors, including age, injury, obesity, autoimmune disorders, and genetics. There are over 100 types of arthritis and related conditions; however, the most common kind is osteoarthritis, or degenerative arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs due to aging. Over time, your cartilage begins to wear down, which causes your bones to begin rubbing together, which causes swelling, pain, and stiffness. With time, cartilage can break down completely, causing chronic pain. When osteoarthritis is moderate, pain can be managed at home several different ways, including rest, hot and cold therapies, exercising regularly, staying at a healthy weight, OTC pain relievers, and using assistive devices such as canes. Additionally, osteoarthritis pain can be managed with the aid of regular visits to a chiropractor.

Arthritis and Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care has shown to be an effective treatment method for arthritis. By regularly visiting a chiropractor for spinal adjustments, patients with osteoarthritis can exercise with decreased pain and an increased range of motion. In a 2013 study in “Osteoarthritis and Cartilage,” patients who received chiropractic care twice a week for six weeks were more successful in managing their pain than patients who stretched daily alone. Additionally, a cross review for roughly 100 different studies found that chiropractic care was an effective treatment for several different pain disorders, including osteoarthritis. The outlook for treatment for arthritis with chiropractic care is positive; in as little as five weeks, many patients experience relief from their pain.

If you have arthritis, you have options for coping with the pain. One of them is to visit your Jacksonville chiropractor at Schilsky Chiropractic. We will provide you with the manual adjustments you need to manage the symptoms of this condition so you can live your life as normal as possible. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with a Jacksonville chiropractor.