Osteoarthritis – Chiropractic Treatment

Osteoarthritis is the Most Common Type of Arthritis

Do you ever have joint aches and joint stiffness? You may be one of the millions with arthritis. Arthritis is the leading cause of joint pain. If you don’t have arthritis, chances are someone you are close to does. Although there are many different types of arthritis, the most common type is osteoarthritis.

What Causes Arthritis Pain?

Osteoarthritis develops because of wear and tear to the joints. In the joint, the end of each bone is covered with cartilage. The cartilage acts like a springy sponge that keeps the bones from touching. Excessive joint use and abnormal joint motion causes damage to the cartilage. The cartilage thins out and this causes changes in the bones. It is actually the changes in the bones that causes the pain of arthritis.

Joint Pain and Arthritis

Now you know what causes arthritis to develop, but which joints can be affected by osteoarthritis? Actually any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis, but there are some joints that are commonly affected by arthritis. The most common place for arthritis is in the fingers. However the knees, hips, and spine are also very common places to develop osteoarthritis. In the spine, the most common places for arthritis are the lower neck and the low back.

Causes of Arthritis

There are certain factors that may make you more likely to develop osteoarthritis. Most cases of arthritis develop after age 40. So just being over 40 years old makes it more likely you may have arthritis. Also, women are more likely to develop arthritis then men. Finally, previous joint injury makes you much more likely to develop arthritis. This means a knee injury while playing football or a minor car accident increases your chances of getting osteoarthritis in the injured area.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

So how do you know if your joint pain might be caused by osteoarthritis? There are 5 symptoms you can look for:

1. Pain is the most common symptom of arthritis. Arthritis pains tend to be dull and achy, but they can be sharp at times. Pain is most common in the morning and at the end of the day. 
2. Stiffness is another very common sign of arthritis. Stiffness tends to be most noticeable in the hands, back, and neck. It is also more common in the morning. 
3. Crepitus is also a sign of arthritis. Crepitus is joint creaking. It can be felt in the knees and can even be heard when you move your neck. 
4. Deformity, a noticeable change in the joint shape, is usually a latter symptom of arthritis. This is most common in the fingers but sometimes it can also be seen in the knees. 
5. Finally, swelling can also be a sign of arthritis. Swelling happens most often in the knees, especially after a long day of walking. If you have these joint symptoms in the hands, knees, hips, spine, or other joints and you have some of the risk factors, you may have osteoarthritis. Just because you have arthritis doesn’t mean it has to slow you down. There are things you can to keep your joints working as well as they can. 

Remedies for Osteoarthritis

The most important thing you can do to deal with your arthritis is keep moving. Motion is what keeps joints healthy. Try using non-impact exercises such as riding a bike or doing yoga to keep your joints moving. Swimming and water exercises are also good ways to exercise your body without straining your joints. Exercise also helps you maintain a healthy weight which will decrease the pressure that is put on your low back, hips, and knees.

Eating a healthy diet is also important to managing arthritis. Omega-3 essential fatty acids found in fish help your body produce anti-inflammatory chemicals that can reduce the pain of arthritis. Also, supplements such as Glucosamine and Chondritin Sulfate can be taken to give your body the building blocks to repair cartilage damage.

Chiropractic for Arthritis

Finally chiropractic care can be used to manage your arthritis pains. Maintaining joint motion is essential to managing arthritis. Gentle chiropractic adjustments help to restore proper joint motion in a way that exercise cannot. Adjustments also reduce joint pain caused by arthritis. Your chiropractor can also assess for and correct any muscular imbalances to ensure proper and even joint loading. Chiropractic is an effective and non-invasive way to manage your osteoarthritis.

Arthritis Appointments in the Edwardsville, IL Area

To determine if chiropractic care could help you relieve your arthritis pains, or to speak with a chiropractor in the Edwardsville, IL area, call Dr. Emily Brueggeman at 618-692-0000 . Ask for a free Invitation to Health which includes a consultation and screening to determine if your case is a chiropractic case.