- What Is
Osteoarthritis?
- Osteoarthritis is a slow
degeneration of the joints that connect your bones and
allow you to move. Aging, injury, poor posture, and
excess weight can cause joints to wear down and become
stiff and painful.
- Healthy
Joints
- Inside each joint, the ends
of the bones are covered with a tough tissue called
cartilage. In healthy joints, the cartilage is smooth and
slick, so the bones can move easily.
- Arthritic
Joints
- With osteoarthritis, the
cartilage becomes rough and pitted. As the joints wear
down, calcium deposits, spurs (bony outgrowths), and
swelling may develop. This restricts movement and causes
pain.
-
- How Does
a Chiropractor Treat Arthritis?
- Your doctor of chiropractic
is trained to restore the health of your spine and
joints.. Special chiropractic methods, called
adjustments, can help reduce swelling and irritation,
relieve pain, and slow degeneration.
- Spinal
Adjustments
- Your treatment depends on
the cause of your arthritis. During a spinal adjustment,
your chiropractor gently presses on the joints to improve
range of motion and relieve nerve irritation.
- Related
Treatment
- Your chiropractor may
suggest other types of treatment to improve your range of
motion.These may include ice or heat, massage, electrical
stimulation, ultrasound or exercise. Your chiropractor
can discuss these with you.
- What Can
I Do to Keep My Joints in Shape?
- Do gentle exercise, such as
swimming and walking, but slow down if you feel pain.
Limit your activities to shorter periods of time and
avoid high-risk or high-impact sports. Eating a low-fat,
low-calorie diet may also improve your health, since
losing excess weight can help relieve pressure on your
joints.
- Chiropractic
Checkups
- Just as you need regular
dental exams, you also need regular chiropractic exams.
Even if you don't have symptoms, chiropractic care is one
of the best ways to manage or prevent joint problems and
maintain a healthier life.
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