What a Chiropractor Does
A Doctor of Chiropractic, also known as a chiropractic physician, is a health professional that focuses primarily on spine care. Their discipline focuses on treating the spine to correct joint dysfunction which may cause irritated nerves and muscle spasm.
The majority of patients who seek Greenville SC chiropractic care arrive with back or neck pain. What they learn after their pain resolves is that consistent visits to a chiropractor can improve posture and prevent future episodes of pain. Using chiropractic solely for back pain would be like going to a dentist only when you have tooth pain. Dental hygiene and supportive chiropractic care can both prevent decay and degenerative changes.
Chiropractors can also work with their patients to plan exercise routines and alterations in diet to assist in the management of inflammation and pain. In addition, most insurance carriers offer some type of coverage for visits to a chiropractor.
What Is Arthritis?
Put simply, arthritis is inflammation in the joints which result in joint pain, stiffness and limited range of movement. There are over 200 different varieties of arthritis. While it is generally associated with age, it can also affect young people. It can strike almost any area of the body, with each region having a different cause and name. In some cases, arthritis can cause damage to soft tissues and muscles.
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. It results from repeated trauma to the joint and becomes more common as we age.
Other common forms of arthritis include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common form in which the body’s immune system attacks the joint.
- Psoriatic arthritis, another autoimmune form of arthritis.
- Ankylosing spondylitis, also a type of arthritis where the body attacks itself.
- Septic arthritis, which is caused by a viral or bacterial infection of the joint.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing arthritis involves a complete and thorough examination. If a chiropractor feels the need to co-manage the case, a medical work-up by a rheumatologist may be recommended. This can include radiology (x-ray) or an MRI, urine and blood analysis and physical examinations.
It is important to have your condition properly diagnosed so you can more effectively treat the symptoms of the disease.
Chiropractors and Arthritis Care
The most common arthritis care medical treatment is pharmaceutical intervention, which can take down the inflammation and swelling and reduce pain. However, chiropractors have great success managing arthritis. While medications can work, they have been shown to have long-term health risks such as impairing healing, damage to the stomach lining and internal bleeding.
By visiting a chiropractor for your arthritis care you may be able to reduce your reliance upon these medications while managing your pain and symptoms naturally. A chiropractor can:
- Improve your range of motion by keeping your spine functional
- Improve endurance and flexibility
- Increase your strength and muscle tone
- Help you develop a dietary and nutritional plan to reduce inflammation naturally
In addition, chiropractors can recommend an exercise regimen that’s helpful to arthritis. According to the American Chiropractic Association, this is a vital component in managing your arthritis symptoms.
Treating the Symptoms
Please understand that chiropractors cannot “cure” your arthritis. At this time, there is no cure for this ailment. They can, however, help to alleviate the symptoms and slow the progression of the illness. They may use spinal adjustments in conjunction with other treatments to address the disease. These options can include:
- Hot and cold therapy
- Cold laser treatments
- Massage
- Electronic muscle stimulation
- Physical rehabilitation
- Ultrasound therapy
The Best Results
With an inflammatory disease like arthritis, the best arthritis care results are achieved by attacking it from all angles. This means working with your chiropractor and rheumatologist to combine treatments, if necessary. In addition to their care, a healthy diet and active exercise regime will help move you in the right direction toward a healthier outcome.
If you or a loved one are suffering with arthritis, don’t hesitate to give us a call at Eastside Chiropractic today! 864-292-6777. We’re here to help in any way we can!
Eastside Chiropractic PA
3014 Wade Hampton Blvd., Taylors SC 29687
864-292-6777