Chiropractors do a great deal more than spinal adjustments. In fact, chiropractors have more than 150 techniques at their disposal to manually adjust the spine, joints and muscles. For patients with arthritis, this gives them a medically sound, holistic option for treatment. Using their knowledge of the relationship between structure and function, a chiropractor can help an arthritic joint work properly, allowing the patient to lead a more normal, more mobile lifestyle.
Chiropractic Care to Alleviate Arthritic Pain
Using a chiropractor can be a smart way for arthritic patients to manage and relieve pain. By employing safe, non-invasive treatments, chiropractic care can help patients mitigate pain without resorting to over-the-counter pain medications or prescription opioids.
Instead, chiropractors treat arthritic patients with gentle therapy known as chiropractic adjustments. These are used to reduce joint restrictions or misalignments throughout the body, including the spine. By doing such, a chiropractor can help reduce inflammation and improve the function of the affected joints and the overall nervous system. If a patient’s joint mobility can be increased along with improving the functions of the nervous system, the body as a whole can better manage symptoms caused by rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
Chiropractic Care and Inflamed Joints
Chiropractic care can be extremely beneficial for neck and back pain that results from osteoarthritis; however, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis should be approached with more caution. It is not recommended to receive adjustments for joints experiencing active swelling. That said, a chiropractor can do a lot more for an arthritic patient than adjustments.
Below are several ways a chiropractor can help a patient with inflamed joints:
- Ultrasound: More than just imaging technology, the sound waves help massage soft tissues and joints to aid in the reduction of swelling and alleviation of pain and stiffness.
- Electrotherapy: Using tiny, non-painful electric pulses to treat soft tissue injuries through the stimulation of muscles and nerves.
- Cold laser or Low-Level Laser: This technique features a heatless laser or light that can deeply penetrate the tissue to reduce inflammation.
- Infrared sauna: Specialized rooms use controlled heat to better the circulation and mitigate pain.
Reducing or Eliminating Arthritic Pain through Chiropractic Care
Arthritis doesn’t have to be the end of a truly mobile lifestyle. It also may not require a dependence on pain medications and opioids. Set up an appointment with a chiropractor to see if holistic treatment is a viable option for you. In many cases, a chiropractor can have you feeling like your pain-free self again, so you can live life on your terms.