Arthritis and joint pain - how chiropractic can help

350 million people worldwide are affected by arthritis. Painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints are common side effects. Arthritis can affects both young and elderly people. The most common form, osteoarthritis also known as degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is usually caused by repetitive joint trauma and more common in the elderly. Other forms such as Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are a form of an autoimmune disease found in the younger population ranging from 30-60yrs of age.

How can you manage arthritis?

Weight bearing exercise can help reduce the pain and stiffness of arthritis because it maintains mobility and keeps muscles strong enough to support joints. A balanced diet and a healthy weight are also vital, as well as is learning proper biomechanics. Helps patients avoid putting too much pressure on them. And when used alongside conventional medicines, complementary therapies such as chiropractic can be enormously beneficial in relieving the pain of arthritis. Whatever type of arthritis you're dealing with, you might well be relying on pain relief medication to function from day to day. But long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) are worth noting. Studies show side effects can range from Kidney damage, Liver damage and heart disease.

Chiropractic: holistic pain relief

With regular Chiropractic treatment, you can take the edge off your pain, and increase mobility making life more manageability. Increased joint mobility, enables patients to enjoy their favourite activities with less restriction. In fact, according to William Lauretti, DC, professor at New York Chiropractic College, chiropractic patients with arthritis often improve without the need for pain medications.

One study, conducted in 2013 and published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, the official journal of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International, actually found that 12 chiropractic treatments in combination with a patient education program were more effective for hip osteoarthritis than a daily stretching program or patient education alone. And in 2010, a British analysis of nearly 100 studies found that chiropractic manipulation was helpful for a variety of conditions, including knee osteoarthritis.

How does chiropractic work to ease arthritis?

If the structure of a joint is not right, it’s unable to work as it is supposed to. This is where chiropractic shines by maximizing the function of an arthritic joint. The resulting in decreased pain and better ability to cope in everyday activities.

At Family First, your chiropractor will take a detailed medical history, including a physical examination of every joint and X-rays if necessary. In this way, we will develop a treatment approach that is specific to your issues, always taking the time and care to listen to your concerns and how your arthritis is affecting your life.

Other treatment protocols such as ultrasound or muscle stim. In addition to chiropractic care can also be used to manage joint inflammation and mobility.

The help of a personalized treatment plan that includes lifestyle changes, you can find freedom from pain and retain more mobility and independence. Elderly people can perform their daily activity, younger people can stay active at work, meet the physical demands of looking after young children, and of course have the energy and ability to enjoy their hobbies.

If you have any questions feel free to email Dr. Elton Clemence at the clinic at www.family1stchiro.ca or call us at 403-347-3261 for consultation and to set up a time to have your spine and nervous system checked.

Stress - How Chiropractic can help

Stress can cause problems for you physically and emotionally. The effects of stress can cause headaches, muscle aches and pain and stiffness in your body.

There are typically three different causes of stress. The first cause is Environmental – This is what’s around you and things that you usually have no control over. You may live in an area that has high levels of pollution or high crime rates. Secondly, Physical factors may affect you such as injuries that you have incurred as a result of an accident, or it may be caused by what you are eating or from a lack of sleep. Sometimes, one of these may cause the other to happen such as an injury causing a lack of sleep due to being uncomfortable. Thirdly, Emotional factors such as worrying about our personal life, finances or fears of the unknown may cause stress leading to the undesirable effects of stress.

Due to the stress incurred by either from environmental, physical or emotional factors, our body may suffer from headaches, neck pain, and muscle aches and stiffness to name a few. High blood pressure, increased risk of heart issues and damage to your body’s tissues may also result from your body being overstressed.

In addition to doing things for yourselves to relieve stress such as exercise, stretching, yoga and deep breathing exercises, chiropractic can also help you to alleviate muscle tension and headaches. Getting adjusted positively affects your nervous system which helps ease muscle tension which then reduces the stressors in your body so you can relax and get more rest allowing the body to get relief from the stress around you.

Dr. Joelle Johnson is located at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  www.family1stchiro .ca To book an appointment, please call 403-347-3261