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.
