Conditions Treated

As people age, it is a common often belief that the pain and discomfort associated with our joints is a normal occurrence that we are forced to live with. While our joints can experience levels of degradation as we age, the pain and reduced mobility that is often associated with arthritis don’t have to be something that we suffer through. Instead, let's review some of the facts about chiropractic care and how it can be beneficial in treating the pain associated with arthritis.
 

Chiropractic Care and Your Joints

Many people believe that chiropractors don't do any work beyond that focused on the spine. And while It is true that the majority of work that chiropractors do surrounds issues associated with the spine, if you think this is the only work that chiropractors do, you are likely to miss a lot of the additional benefits of chiropractic care. 

In addition to spinal work, chiropractors also specialize in issues that surround our joints. Since the vertebrae that make up our spinal column contain joints between each individual vertebrae, it becomes more apparent how chiropractors are able to help with your arthritis when you think of them as joint specialists.
 

The Effects of Arthritis

Arthritis typically occurs when something irritates the joints, which can be a deterioration of the joint itself. As joints deteriorate, they may become irritated more frequently by multiple factors such as increased movement, regular movement, or changes in temperature which can cause inflammation and pain.

This chronic pain and inflammation are what we refer to as arthritis. Many patients take prescription or over-the-counter medications to manage the effects of arthritis, but medications will only treat the symptoms and don’t get to the root cause of your discomfort.
 

Chiropractors and Arthritis

During your first visit, your chiropractor will conduct an initial exam. In this exam, they will review your medical and family histories as well as conduct a physical exam. It is during this initial visit that they usually issue a diagnosis and design a treatment plan that is best suited for you.

Typically, patients who are experiencing issues related to arthritis can expect their chiropractor to suggest gentle manipulation of those joints over the course of several weeks. You should start to notice the benefits of your treatment plan between two and six weeks.

Chiropractic care has been shown to be effective in treating the issues and symptoms associated with arthritis. So much so that patients may not require the use of potentially addicting medications in order to manage pain during their treatment.
 

When to Avoid Alignment

If you are experiencing active swelling in your joints, it may be a bad time to have a chiropractor adjust the joint. If you are unsure if you are a good candidate, you should visit your chiropractor to get their advice.

However, even if you cannot receive a physical adjustment due to swelling, it is likely that your chiropractor will be able to suggest and conduct other therapies to grant you some relief. Some of these therapies that can be performed in their office include:

• Ultrasound – While ultrasounds are typically thought of as an imaging tool, they can also produce gentle massage to the offending joints. This massage can decrease swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joint.

• Electrotherapy – These gentle electric pulses are designed to stimulate nerves and muscles near the painful joint to reduce pain and swelling.

• Infrared sauna – These rooms are specifically designed and heated to a temperature that provides adequate therapy for relaxing the joints. The warming of the joints allows for a reduction in swelling.
   

Overview

If you have been diagnosed with or think that you might have arthritis, you should schedule an appointment with a chiropractor today. They will help design a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to your needs. Chiropractors are a beneficial, but often overlooked option for the treatment of your arthritis discomfort.

Fibromyalgia diagnoses have been increasing as awareness has risen. Many individuals now feel that they can seek help from the medical field for their issues, although treatments are generally more difficult to understand. Many people who have fibromyalgia also complain about the lack of effectiveness that many treatment options offer. However, chiropractic care has become an increasingly common and successful treatment option for patients with the disease.
 

Understanding Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that is characterized by a laundry list of signs and symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Widespread musculoskeletal pain

• Weakness

• Fatigue

• Sleep loss

• Memory issues

• Mood changes
   

While the cause is still being investigated, researchers believe that the disorder amplifies pain signals that are sent to the brain. This means that the normal pain sensation of a pinprick to the finger can instead feel like a searing stab wound.

While fibromyalgia is most commonly diagnosed in women, individuals that suffer from headaches, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), anxiety, depression, or irritable bowel syndrome are more likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The disease is also commonly linked to another traumatic injury or surgery. Symptoms may appear instantaneously or gradually increase in severity.

As fibromyalgia research continues, we can expect to see more definitive answers to our questions. Currently, researchers believe that the disorder may be caused by genetics, past infections, physical trauma, or a combination of the three.
 

Treatment Options

• Medications – A suite of medications may be an option for patients. These medications can include pain relievers, anti-depressants, and anti-seizure medications. Pain medications can help to reduce the pain experienced due to fibromyalgia and can offer some comfort. Anti-depressants have been used to help treat or lessen the effects of the disorder on fatigue and sleep habits. Anti-seizure medications help reduce the overall impact of fibromyalgia, and some have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for the treatment of fibromyalgia. However, many medications contain serious side effects and should be used with caution under the direction of medical professionals.

• Counseling – While counseling may not directly reduce the effects of fibromyalgia, it can be helpful for patients to talk with a professional about some of the issues that they are facing. Therapy can be beneficial in teaching patients how to cope with the effects of the disorder and strategize effective solutions in dealing with future difficulties.

• Chiropractic – Several modern studies have reviewed the effects that chiropractic care and adjustments offer to individuals that are suffering from fibromyalgia. The results suggest that chiropractic isn’t just helpful, but that it is “Quite Effective.” Another study indicated that patients saw significant improvement in their sleep, fatigue levels, and the amount of pain they experienced after just 15 adjustments.
   

It’s not a tough decision for many health-conscious patients to decide to make chiropractic care a critical component of their overall treatment plan. The potential adverse effects that medications pose can help to make that decision even easier. As medications that contain addictive chemicals such as opioids are more prominent in the news, many physicians are also more likely to suggest non-addictive treatment options.

Unfortunately, fibromyalgia does not have any known cures. This means that your potential treatment options may need to be considered as long-term options to contribute to an overall improvement in the quality of your life.
 

Overview

Many people who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia are faced with numerous difficult decisions when it comes to their treatment. The pain can be debilitating, but the addictive nature of many pain medications can leave people feeling scared and helpless and with no known cures, it may feel challenging to face the future. Chiropractic care offers a safe and effective treatment option that can be continued throughout your treatment. If you are considering chiropractic care as a part of your treatment plan for fibromyalgia, please call and schedule an appointment with a chiropractor today to see what they can offer to help alleviate your pain and discomfort.