Arthritis is a condition that can be both painful and debilitating. It can significantly affect one’s quality of life.

There are many forms of arthritis. In some cases it occurs when the cartilage that lines the joint surface wears out, and in others it is an autoimmune disease and inflammatory.  Chiropractic adjustments have been proven remarkably effective in helping with arthritic symptoms including stiffness and pain.

Chiropractic addresses the issue of increasing the motion in the body by decreasing restrictions in spinal joints.  Our spinal joints are present to allow us to bend and twist, so when the small joints of the spine aren’t moving properly, neither are we. This can be limiting as well as painful.  When the spine is able to move more freely, the need for pain medications decreases or ceases altogether.

Prevent Arthritis from Getting Worse

Like many health conditions, it is much easier to fight it before it gets to the point of pain and symptoms. It is highly encouraged to be proactive with your health, especially arthritis because once present it is typically permanent.

While chiropractic can aid in the management of arthritis, it can also prevent arthritis, as well as its progression, and all of its damaging effects. When one makes appropriate lifestyle modifications to their diet, exercise, and maintaining the body’s alignment, s/he can offset the health problems that accompany arthritis.

The greatest contributor to degeneration of the spine is misalignments of the vertebrae. This leads to improper biomechanics which stresses the joints and causes the wear and tear.

As the bones shift out of place from trauma or everyday activity, the body will try to stabilize the joint by laying down more bone over time.  This causes the bone to become denser and possibly create osteophytes, commonly known as bone spurs. This added bone means added pressure on the spinal cord, nerves that exit at that spinal level, and spinal discs.  This added pressure hinders motion and function and can cause pain.

These changes can be seen on a spinal x-ray as bony outgrowths or loss of disc height between vertebral bones. Unfortunately you cannot sense this process so it usually goes undetected until it’s irreversible degenerative effects have taken place.

Conventional medicine is usually more reactive to arthritis than proactive. There are drugs and medications that can cover up the pain symptoms.  However these drugs can be addictive, have harmful and unpleasant side-effects, and do not address the underlying problem. If left undealt with the problem can lead to surgery, which has risks and often does not attain the desired results.

Choose Chiropractic

Chiropractic is based on the body’s ability to heal itself.  When spinal misalignments are addressed by a chiropractor, there is a greater ease of movement and decrease of fluid buildup in the joints that is often found with arthritis.

Chiropractic is a better choice for relief of symptoms than NSAIDS (such as Advil or Tylenol) or over the counter medications that have harmful side effects, especially with long-term use.  In fact the American Medical Association recommends a limit of 1,000 Tylenol per lifetime to avoid major liver damage. This is not something you want to be popping daily!  The good news is that chiropractic is completely natural, non-invasive, and will help your organs function better –not harm them!

If you or someone you know is suffering from arthritis or looking for a plan to prevent arthritis check out your Minnetonka chiropractic office today. Dr. Hillesheim and the staff at Relief Plus Chiropractic are experienced and ready to help you reach your highest potential throughout your life. Call us today at (952) 681-2863!