Don't Let Arthritis Derail Your Life

By Dr. Dave Edenfield

Sufferers know all too well that the painful inflammation of their joints commonly known as arthritis can make living life to its fullest difficult at best.  While the wrist and finger joints are the most common sites of this affliction, arthritis can also be present in the neck, shoulder, hips, knees and feet.  Once symptoms appear, some sufferers find that just accomplishing the simplest of tasks can be all but impossible.  If you or someone you know has arthritis, there is no reason that they have to let this condition derail their lives.  Treatments are available that can help reduce pain and increase mobility.  But before you can treat the condition you first have to identify the condition’s underlying causes.

To begin with, there are two primary types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  Osteoarthritis is primarily caused by wear and tear caused to the joints and is the bane of the elderly.  Rheumatoid arthritis on the other hand can hit at any age and is an autoimmune disorder.  Other types of arthritis can be caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals, infection or other underlying diseases such as lupus.

Also the way that symptoms present themselves is dependent upon the type of arthritis present.  Those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis commonly experience more pain early in the morning, while osteoarthritis tends to strike after activity.  In order to determine the type of arthritis and create a treatment, a doctor will need to conduct an examination, possibly including x-rays, as well as asking questions about your symptoms.  There are a number of factors that can help a physician get a bead on the type of arthritis with which you or a loved one is afflicted. Everything from the time and speed of onset, to tenderness, aggravating and relieving factors, as well as joint involvement all need to be explored in order to create a precise diagnosis.

Once a diagnosis has been made, there are a number of treatment modalities that can be used to help alleviate arthritis pain, inflammation and swelling.  Chiropractic treatments for arthritis can include such things as chiropractic adjustments, massage, ultrasound therapy, trigger-point therapy, therapeutic laser treatments as well as exercise and stretching regimens. 

• Ultrasound therapy. When many people hear “ultrasound” they think of prenatal pictures of babies in the womb.  Therapeutic ultrasound when applied to soft tissues and joints creates sound waves that can produce a massaging effect that helps reduce swelling and decrease pain and stiffness.

• Trigger-point therapy. Applying gentle pressure to a specific area of muscle where a patient experiences pain is another non-narcotic technique that is proven to alleviate pain.

• Cold laser therapy. We’re not talking Star Trek here.  Cold lasers use a concentrated beam of light that penetrates deep into the tissue to reduce inflammation without causing any discomfort whatsoever. (See video below)

• Therapeutic exercises and stretches. Designed specifically for people with rheumatoid arthritis, low-impact exercises can promote flexibility and endurance. Best of all, these activities can be done in the office or at home.

Regardless of the type of arthritis in question, this affliction is one of the most common disabilities in the US with more than 20 million Americans being afflicted.  It has been estimated that this disability sets the public back more than $100 billion every year due to a combination of treatment costs and lost wages.  The common misconception is that arthritis is just another stage of the aging process and that the only way to effectively treat the condition is to take medication and slow down.   Chiropractic care is proof positive that arthritis sufferers can manage their pain, gain hope and realize that this debilitating condition need not derail their lives.

Dr. Dave Edenfield  and Dr. Steven Warfield are part of the team of doctors and therapists at http://www.lakewoodchiropracticjax.com/ who are dedicated to helping you and your family lead  healthier, happier and pain-free lives.