Arthritis can be debilitating, especially when it is in your hands. Arthritis of the hands can limit your ability to carry out day-to-day activities. If you can’t open a jar, grip a knife to prepare meals, or write a letter to a loved one without pain, it might be time to seek a solution to help you live a pain-free life.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a common disease that causes pain and stiffness within joints. This is because joints are continually exposed to daily stressors, and your body repairs that damage naturally in most cases. However, arthritis prevents your body from doing so. There are two common forms of arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage covering the ends of the bone joint wears away. Cartilage provides the shock-absorption that allows your bones to move easily; loss of cartilage causes painful bone-on-bone rubbing and limits the range of motion in the affected area.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis. A chronic inflammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can lead to hand deformity and loss of function. In a healthy joint, synovium (the protective membrane that covers joints) secretes synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant between your joints to reduce friction between the bones and prevent “wear and tear.” RA causes the synovium to become inflamed and not lubricate your joints properly, causing deterioration and misalignment.
Symptoms of Arthritis
Symptoms will vary slightly depending on the type of arthritis you have, but these differences can help us determine the correct underlying cause. Common symptoms of arthritis include:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness in an affected joint after you’ve been sitting for an extended time
- Tenderness to the touch
- Lack of or limited movement
- Rubbing or grating inside the joint
- Bone spurs
The appropriate treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms, but they can include medications, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Chiropractic care provides arthritis patients with a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to over-the-counter pain medications (OTCs) for managing pain. In addition, chiropractic adjustments help reduce restrictions or misalignments in the affected joints by increasing joint mobility and improving your nervous system function.
Common arthritis treatments include:
- High-velocity low-amplitude spinal manipulation therapy (HVLA SMT). In this most common “adjustment” in chiropractic care, the chiropractor pushes the affected joint beyond its normal range of motion with one or more quick, forceful thrusts.
- Joint mobilization. The joint is worked gently through its natural range of motion, identifying places where movement is limited.
- Stretching and massage.
- Heat or cold therapy.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). A mild electrical pulse is delivered to the affected area to stimulate your muscles and nerves.
- Ultrasound. Sound waves help relieve pain and swelling in affected joints and soft tissue.
- Low-level laser. A non-heat generating laser helps to reduce swelling in the affected joint.
With regular adjustments, your body can better manage symptoms and pain caused by arthritis. Additional health benefits of chiropractic care include:
- Decreased joint pain and stiffness.
- Increased mobility and function.
- Improved flexibility and range of motion.
- Slowed progression of the disease.
- Improved your quality of life.
Quality Chiropractic Services
Terlep Chiropractic specializes in pain relief for many different walks of life. With services that include spinal decompression and physical therapy to custom orthotics and rehabilitation, Terlep Chiropractic can help you experience a healthier and happier life.
The staff at Terlep Chiropractic is eager to meet you and help with any pain management from arthritis or other ailments. To book an appointment with the highly trained chiropractic staff, visit our website or call (352) 666-2222 to get started today!
Sources
https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/chiropractic-care-for-joint-problems
http://blog.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/chiropractic-for-arthritis/
https://www.purefamilychiro.com/does-chiropractic-care-help-arthritis/
