About the condition: Arthritis simply means a painful condition of the joints.
There are different types of the disease – many inflammatory, for example rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and others more degenerative in nature, for example osteoarthritis (OA). Here we will focus on the most common form of the problem and the one most people will consult a chiropractor for help with known as osteoarthritis (OA) but has a number of other names which means the same thing such as “wear and tear” and degenerative joint disease (DJD).
Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common joint disorder, often becomes symptomatic in the 40s and 50s and is nearly universal (although not always symptomatic) by age 80. Only half of those with pathologic changes of OA have symptoms. Below age 40, most OA is in men and results from trauma. Women predominate from age 40 to 70, after which men and women are equally affected.
Symptoms: Onset is most often gradual, usually beginning with one or a few joints. Pain is the earliest symptom, sometimes described as a deep ache. Pain is usually worsened by weight bearing and relieved by rest but can eventually become constant. Stiffness follows awakening or inactivity but lasts less than 30 min and lessens with movement. As OA progresses, joint motion becomes restricted, and tenderness and crepitus or grating sensations develop and ultimately cause the joint enlargement characteristic of OA.
Degenerated joints are generally a result of surrounding joints not doing their duty – so that the load is not managed equally. Chiropractic aims to restore natural joint function by spreading the workload and taking excess strain away from bad joints.
Treatment: Treatment goals are relieving pain, maintaining joint flexibility, and optimizing joint and overall function. Primary treatments recommended are physical measures including chiropractic treatment that involve rehabilitation; exercise for strength, flexibility, and endurance; patient education; and modifications in activities of daily living.
Increasing movement in the joints using various manual techniques and manipulation often relieves pain, increases movement and allows a return to regular activity dependant on the severity of the arthritis. Manipulation of the spine is a gentle and effective way to relieve the symptoms of arthritis in the spinal joints. Rehabilitation techniques are best begun before disability develops. Immobilization for any prolonged period of time can promote contractures and worsen the clinical course. However, a few minutes of rest (every 4 to 6 h in the daytime) can help if balanced with exercise and use. Modifying activities of daily living can help.
Our chiropractors role in the treatment of arthritis:
“Arthritis cannot be reversed, once these changes have occurred in the joints of the body there is no way to reverse or cure it. Anyone who claims to do so is not being totally clear. What we aim to do with chiropractic treatment is reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis such as reducing pain and stiffness and through a specific exercise and rehabilitation programme including chiropractic supportive care, maintain the joints as best we can slowing the rate of degeneration and allow you to carry out your daily activities with as little impact from the arthritis as possible. We have had great results using this approach with the many patients with arthritis that we see”.
