Are your joints swelling and hurting when you move? You may be suffering from osteoarthritis: the most common form of arthritis. It leads to the deterioration of cartilage in the joints, causing pain and mobility issues.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, which means it can be managed, but not stopped or healed completely. It affects the joints in the hands, knees, hips, lower back, and neck.
It breaks down the cartilage, or soft tissue, that connects your bones at the joint. As the tissue deteriorates patients begin to suffer swelling, pain, and reduced flexibility. This usually results in patients easing back on activity, which leads to atrophy. But inactivity can lead to weight gain, which puts more strain on the joints, causing more pain.
While there is no cure for degenerative osteoarthritis, there are various treatments available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Chiropractic care offers non-invasive options that can significantly aid those struggling with the daily challenges of degenerative osteoarthritis.
The Stages of Degenerative Osteoarthritis
There are four stages of this disease.
Stage 1: Early or Doubtful – Some people start to feel mild pain, while others feel perfectly fine. If you are concerned that you may developing this condition, speak with your medical practitioners about how to keep it at bay.
Supplements and low-impact exercises can help, as well as maintaining a healthy body weight. If you do this, and maintain spinal health with chiropractic help and proper posture, you will prevent a lot of undue stress of your joints.
Stage 2: Mild or Minimal – As the disease progresses, you may start experiencing pain with certain movements, like bending or extending a joint. Some may feel pain after activities that never bothered them before. You can manage pain with anti-inflammatory meds and may want to wear a brace or wrap during activities.
Chiropractors can keep your spine aligned and relieve inflammation. You may also find physical therapy helpful so you can strengthen smaller muscles and stop compensatory patterns.
Stage 3: Moderate – At this point, x-rays will show that cartilage is wearing thin. Bone spurs are common. You will feel pain or stiffness after movement, and after rest or upon waking. You may also experience swelling. The same treatment options from Stage 1 and 2 can be effective, and you may also need corticosteroid shots to manage pain.
Stage 4: Severe – At this point you will have trouble with daily activities and can become immobilized by severe pain. Cartilage may have totally worn away. Surgical options may be necessary, such as bone realignment and joint replacements.
The Role of Chiropractic Care in Managing Degenerative Osteoarthritis
Chiropractic treatment focuses on the musculoskeletal system and aims to improve alignment, alleviate pain, and enhance function. For those with degenerative osteoarthritis, chiropractic care can be particularly beneficial. The primary goal is to reduce joint stress, which is a significant factor in the progression and pain of arthritis.
One of the key aspects of chiropractic care for arthritis patients is the personalized approach to pain management. Chiropractors assess individual joint function and tailor their treatments to the specific needs of each patient.
Through gentle manipulation of the spine and affected joints, chiropractors can decrease stiffness and improve mobility. This manipulation helps to restore range of motion and reduce the strain on surrounding muscles that are compensating for weak joints.
Improving Joint Function and Reducing Pain
Chiropractic adjustments can also lead to improved joint function. By restoring better alignment, the body’s weight is more evenly distributed, which decreases further wear and tear on the arthritic joints. This can be particularly effective in weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees, which are commonly affected by osteoarthritis.
Chiropractic care extends beyond adjustments. Chiropractors often incorporate various therapeutic modalities into the treatment plan. Some of the chiropractic treatments we offer that can provide arthritis relief include intersegmental traction, custom orthotics, massage therapy, therapeutic exercises and weight loss.
Education and Lifestyle Recommendations
In addition to hands-on treatments, chiropractors provide valuable guidance on lifestyle modifications to help manage arthritis symptoms. We offer advice on nutrition, exercise, and ergonomics, which play crucial roles in managing arthritis. Regular, moderate exercise strengthens the muscles around the joints, which helps to stabilize and protect the joints from further damage. Nutritional counseling can also play a role in controlling inflammation and maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress on the joints.
We’re Here To Help
While degenerative osteoarthritis is a progressive condition, incorporating chiropractic care into your management strategy can offer significant benefits. Chiropractic treatments aim to enhance joint function, reduce pain, and improve your overall quality of life. These benefits allow patients to maintain a more active lifestyle and potentially slow the progression of the disease.
If you’ve been suffering from osteoarthritis and would like to learn more about how chiropractic care can improve your quality of life, we invite you to schedule an appointment and find out for yourself if chiropractic treatments are the solution that would work best for your body.
Call 417 Spine to schedule an appointment and get started on your path to optimal health.
