Studies show that there are over 100 different types of arthritis. This is an umbrella term for problems affecting the joints of the body. There are many forms of arthritis, but most have to do with the breakdown of your joints, or the cartilage that cushions your joints. Over time, this makes even the most basic movements painful. Arthritis can easily happen along the many bones and joints of the spine. However, natural therapies can help reduce the aches and joint pains you have and can even help arthritis progress more slowly.
The Pain of Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the more common diseases that people get in the United States. Many think that arthritis is one disease, when it is actually many. It is a term used to describe any type of joint pain or problem, and there are actually over 100 different forms depending on where your arthritis is located and what it does to your joints. Currently, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common types of joint issues. Osteoarthritis affects about 27 million Americans and R.A. affects around 1.5 million.
Children can develop arthritis just like adults can. Studies show that even animals can get arthritis, as it’s a joint issue. Every type will act differently with patients, which is how doctors know what type you have and how to treat it. You have over 360 joints in your body, all of which can get arthritis. There may be as many as 91 million Americans that have arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 78 million Americans could have some form of arthritis by the year 2040. 1 in 2 will develop the condition by the time they reach age 85. So how do you know if you are developing arthritis or not?
Arthritis and Joint Pain
Joint pain is the most common symptom that comes with arthritis, and it’s usually what sends patients to the doctor to see what is going on. Although children can get the condition, it is more rare. If you are a child or teen, your joint pain may more likely be caused by injury or inflammation for one reason or another. As an adult, arthritis is a more likely culprit, especially as you age. The most common symptoms patients get include:
- Knee pain, or joint pain elsewhere
- Frequent stiffening that happens over a few days or a few weeks
- Joint swelling, which can be visible
- Fatigue that gets worse over time
- Waking up with stiff joints
- Hard nodules that grow around the joints and under the skin
- Joint pain that increases with activity (even moving around the house) and cold weather
For many patients, joint pain and symptoms comes on over time. Repetitive activity such as typing or jogging can bring on the joint pain quicker. Athletic activity, especially running and jumping can stress out your joints over time. If arthritis runs in your family, let your medical provider know that, as you are at an increased risk for the condition as well. Obesity will raise your risk of joint pain, as the joints take on more pressure and can have more inflammation. Diabetes and other chronic conditions will also raise the risk of developing arthritis.
If you experience joint pain, numbness, tingling, loss of range-of-motion, tenderness and other abnormal symptoms in your joints, definitely work with a medical professional and a chiropractic rehabilitation specialist to preserve your joints.
Chiropractic Care and Natural Therapies
If you have arthritis, don’t let it rule your life! If you do, your condition can progress rapidly. What you should do is fight back against arthritis and keep your body as healthy as possible. Start with anti-inflammatory joint injections. Joint injections can soothe pain while halting joint and cartilage breakdown, and can also provide lubrication for the joints. This is a first step we take when treating patients. Then, we want to get the body healthier to avoid joint pain and joint deterioration, which we do through natural therapies that won’t hurt your joints more.
Chiropractic adjustments can help relieve the pressure placed on the joints when the body is out of alignment. That relief of pressure will put less stress on the joints, which will reduce damaging inflammation. Chiropractic care can also help restore the loss of range-of-motion that comes with many forms of arthritis. Some chiropractic adjustments can help relieve some of your pain and inflammation right away. Did you know that you can also exercise even though you have arthritis? In fact, for some patients, customized exercise and stretching programs can lower the irritation you feel without further damaging your joints. Coupling exercise with massage therapy, you can restore flexibility to stiff joints and limbs. Regenerative therapy is also doing wonders for our patients who suffer from arthritis.
At-Home Help for Pain
What can you do between office visits? Watch your diet and keep your weight down. Move away from a diet that is full of sugary or processed foods. Eat a balanced diet full of protein, vitamins, mineral, water, healthy carbs and healthy fats. This will reduce inflammation that leads to joint pain and deterioration. Healthy exercise will help keep your muscles and joints in good shape and will keep you at a healthier weight.
If you suffer with joint pain regularly, over-the-counter medications can help while you are in-between joint injections. Heating pads or packs as well as warm/hot baths can help soothe painful joints. For other patients, cold therapy with cold ice packs can help with swelling and pain. See what works for you and ask about medical supplements that can help with your OA and RA symptoms. Don’t let arthritis joint pain dictate your life! Call Spine Correction Center of the Rockies today at (970) 658-5115!
