Every day millions of Americans are suffering from arthritis. In fact, 23% of all adults in the United States have arthritis. It limits the type of work you are able to do and can even stop you from being able to work at all. The pain from arthritis can become so intense it can make things like walking up the stairs a struggle. Many people are searching for assistance with arthritis and many turn to chiropractic. But, can a chiropractor help with arthritis?
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a word that literally describes joint inflammation. While joint inflammation is a symptom, not a diagnosis, arthritis is very typically used to describe issues with joints. Arthritis can affect people of any age, even children. There are many types of arthritis, and they are all a bit different. All types of arthritis have some similarities, however. They commonly include joint pain, limited motion, swelling, and stiffness. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage and flexible tissue between your joints break down. The loss of the protective tissues in your joints leads to the bones grinding directly against each other. Over time, osteoarthritis gets worse and worse because the tissue will continue to wear down. It usually takes place in joints that bear weight, such as your hips, knees, and lower back. The wear and tear in these joints is made worse when there is a misalignment of the bones in the area.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your own body’s immune system attacks its own bodily tissues. This is typically in your joints, but in severe cases, your immune system may attack your own organs. With rheumatoid arthritis, your joints will painfully swell. Over time that can lead to bone erosion and joint deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis usually is found in your lower back, knees, hands, and wrists.
Can a Chiropractor Help with Arthritis?
No matter what type of arthritis someone has, it is incurable but many types may be slightly reversed or can be slowed down through chiropractic care. Pain relief and measures to prevent arthritis from worsening are the only options. Luckily, our chiropractors can help. Chiropractors excel at managing pain that comes from arthritis. A chiropractor can also help align your body, which will take pressure off of affected joints and slow the wearing out of the joint like correcting misaligned tires increases tread life. Chiropractic can relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and increase the joint’s range of motion. Chiropractors can also help you learn better ways to move with arthritis and recommend other treatments that can help.
Chiropractor for Arthritis in Erie and Longmont, CO
Can a chiropractor help with arthritis? Yes! A chiropractor can relieve pain, reduce inflammation, increase range of motion, and help prevent further symptoms of arthritis. If you have arthritis or would like more advice visit us at one of our offices, in Erie or in Longmont.
The Chiropractic Center of Erie and Chiropractic Center of Longmont treat the body holistically with our award-winning treatment process to help your body achieve and maintain optimal performance. We specialize in treating patients suffering from back pain and have helped several patients find relief without the need for surgery. If you’d like to learn more about chiropractic care in Longmont or Erie or have questions about what to expect during your first chiropractor visit in Erie or Longmont, call our offices today at 303-828-3000 or 303-772-1950!
