WHY DO MY JOINTS ACHE!

There are many types of arthritis and degenerative changes that can cause pain throughout the body. Listed below are a few that we commonly see at our office.

OSTEOARTHRITIS

This is a condition that is caused by the wearing down of the cartilage between joints. Some of the major joints that are affected are the knees, hips, back, neck, and hands/wrist. Osteorthritis can be painful and can cause the affected areas to not function properly and is compounding in nature. For instance, if you have arthritis in your left knee, you may compensate for this by putting more pressure on your right side, leading to right hip problems.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Pain killers can cause temporary relief from pain and discomfort, but it is not a long-term solution. Adjustments can alleviate pain by releasing pressure on the nervous system with proper alignment. It can also restore proper joint movement, helping to ensure that you use proper motion so that you do not cause injury to other parts of your body. We are not concerned strictly with the affected area, but rather the body as a whole. We aim to restore and maintain proper movement and functionality to increase your overall well being. As far as pain control, Therapeutic Ultrasound and high-frequency vibration tools such as Rapid Release are just a few of the therapies offered to help with this. Nutrition can play a huge part to counteract the inflammatory nature of this disease. Please consult with your physician for specific dosing, but fish oil and turmeric are among the common prescribed.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

This chronic inflammatory disorder can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition also can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels. An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body’s tissues. Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

At a minimum, a physical or occupational therapist consult is necessary so they can teach you how to exercises and keep your joints flexible. As far as pain control, Therapeutic Ultrasound and high-frequency vibration tools such as Rapid Release are just a few of the therapies offered to help with this. Nutrition can play a huge part to counteract the inflammatory nature of this disease. Please consult with your physician for specific dosing, but fish oil and turmeric are among the common prescribed.