Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care

Osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD) are the labels 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 covers the joint surfaces. Degenerative changes in the joint happens when joint cartilage is harmed and causes stress to the sensitive bone tissue that is usually protected by the cartilage. Sometimes the bone around the joint will proliferate and make osteophytes, or what are more commonly called bone spurs. These spurs can produce painful irritation to other tissues adjacent to the joint, therefore complicating the already hurtful condition.

Degenerative joints as a rule 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, ones occupation, activities, weight, diet, and heredity influence the degree of the condition and its onset.

The symptoms of DJD perpetually involve some degree of pain and/or stiffness in the body part involved. As the condition advances there can be loss of mobility, especially when weight-bearing joints such as hips or knees are affected.  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 make an effort to manage the condition early on in ones life to avoid the need for surgery.

The best management of DJD is, of course, prevention that involves taking care of ones joints at an early age.

* One should always be certain that, especially when young, all injuries to joints are correctly managed to insure proper healing to avoid future disability.
* People involved in occupations that require standing or walking should wear proper shoes that offer good support and shock absorption.
* Excess body weight can produce increased stress upon the weight bearing joints of the body.

* Avoid kneeling on hard surfaces, such as when doing housework, as this can put strain and cause knee pain.

* Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables as they contain natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are vital for the health of the joints, as well as the rest of the body.

Recent studies have shown that long-term use of the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can not only assist with DJD symptoms, but might help to rebuild joint cartilage.

Chiropractic adjustments are not only a smart idea, but an effectual treatment for arthritis, and can help to restore proper mobility and function to the spinal joints, thereby giving patients great relief. Your Chicago chiropractor has many of years of expertise in helping people with arthritis pain. 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. Sometimes a brace is used to help stabilize the joint in an effort to alleviate pain. A chiropractor may suggest exercises such as stretching, yoga, tai chi and other gentle mobilizing activities to help maintain arthritic joints.

Gout

Gouty arthritis is caused by increased levels of uric acid in the blood and the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. Generally, gouty arthritis is characterized by acute pain and swelling of the joints in the big toes, knees, ankles and wrists. Many people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are more often than not brought on by binge eating of inflammatory foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Foods that must be avoided have a natural substance called Purines that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. People with this condition cannot effectively metabolize uric acid, thus the buildup in the bloodstream and the ensuing joint problems. The foods most associated with high purine content are: red meat especially organ meat, certain seafood, legumes, mushrooms and other foods as well. There are other dietary restrictions that must be followed including avoiding alcohol.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of systemic origin. The primary cause is not known, but it is thought to be connected to a problem with the immune system. 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. Many times 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 the condition. Your Chicago chiropractor is dedicated to helping people in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.

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A current survey by the NPD Group, a leading market research organization based in Rosemont, Ill., reveals that about 62% of adults and 34% of adolescents are overweight or obese. The prevalence of arthritis escalates with accumulating weight. Research indicates that cultivating a healthy weight reduces the risk of developing arthritis in the first place and may decrease degenerative progression. A loss of just 11 pounds can reduce the occurrence (incidence) of new knee osteoarthritis and would be extraordinarily beneficial in reducing back pain as well.

A healthy diet and appropriate exercise is imperative for an individual who desires to overcome their back pain, knee pain, and pain in the joints in other areas of the body.  Even though this counsel presumably doesn’t come as anything new, it really is the only way for you to stop suffering and get your life back. 

First of all, we’ll address the dieting issue.  There are hundreds of different ways to diet and the majority of them are effective only on a temporary basis.  Just think about it, if you were to lose weight for good, the diet industry would lose a life-long customer!  Eating a life-enriching diet (as a lifestyle choice as opposed a temporary fix) and cutting your calories so that you are using more calories than you are taking in is the only approach to losing weight in a healthy, permanent way.  Don’t try to lose 20 pounds every week because that is a limited and perilous fix. You should be losing about 2 pounds every week in order to have positive results.

As far as exercise is concerned, research has shown that physical activity decreases pain, improves function, and slows down disability. At least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, a minimum of 3 days a week, has proved to be effective. Even at 10-minute intervals such movement is beneficial.

Besides the health advantages your joints will undergo from exercise, chiropractic adjustments are a highly beneficial way to get movement back in the joints of your spine and other areas of your body. A well-adjusted spine makes exercise and physical activity much easier and will slow down arthritic degenerative changes. The Annals of Internal Medicine released the results of a survey of 232 people who were under a rheumatologist’s care for their arthritis.  Of those people, 63% replied to the survey by saying they were utilizing some type of “complementary care” as named by the study.  Of those people, 31% were using chiropractic. Undoubtedly the most notable statistic was that 73% of those utilizing chiropractic found it helpful.  Explaining why they’d tried the non-medical chiropractic care, people gave a number of reasons: 1) to reduce pain, 2) they’d been told that it helps, 3) they felt certain that it is safe, 4) it had helped someone they knew, and 5) because their prescription medication wasn’t stopping the pain.

Chiropractors, also called doctors of chiropractic, have been assisting men and women suffering from back pain due to arthritis as well as other arthritic conditions for over a hundred years. Your San Diego chiropractor treats misaligned vertebra that, in addition to creating arthritic pain and degenerative changes in the spine, can lower resistance and immunity, which can lead to new health challenges.

It is always a good idea to see a health care professional to talk about diet and exercise. Your chiropractor is a knowledgeable resource for information on the sort of lifestyle changes that you will find necessary to assist you in managing your arthritis. Moreover, in addition to correcting any misalignments in your spine, your chiropractor will diagnose any faulty gait patterns or posture irregularities that may be compounding your arthritic pain.

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