Arthritis Relief with Chiropractic

Chiropractic or other manual care may help selected musculoskeletal symptoms, but arthritis treatment depends on the type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis requires timely medical management; adjustments do not stop the autoimmune disease or replace disease-modifying medicines.

What is Arthritis?

Though common, arthritis is one of America’s most misunderstood diseases. Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints, which can cause pain, discomfort and stiffness throughout joints and the body. Common symptoms of arthritis and joint inflammation include swelling, joint pain and stiffness and decreased range of motion -- typically worsening with age.

Arthritis is a broad term for many joint conditions. Identifying the type matters because causes, treatment and precautions differ.

Two common types illustrate why care must be individualized:

Osteoarthritis - A degenerative disorder affecting flexible joint cartilage

Rheumatoid Arthritis - A chronic inflammatory disorder in joints

Osteoarthritis care often includes exercise, activity changes and medicines when appropriate. Rheumatoid arthritis can damage joints and other tissues, so rheumatology assessment and disease-modifying treatment should not be delayed for self-care or manipulation.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help Those with Arthritis?

For some people with osteoarthritis or associated muscle pain, selected manual techniques may be considered alongside exercise. They are not risk-free or necessary for everyone. Active inflammation, unstable joints, osteoporosis or prior surgery can change what is safe.

Manual care may aim to improve comfort and movement. It does not reliably correct systemic inflammation or restore nervous-system function. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect the upper neck and cause instability; neck manipulation should be avoided when instability is present or suspected and specialist advice is needed.

Reasonable goals for an individualized rehabilitation plan include:

• Less discomfort during daily activities

• Maintaining tolerable activity while medical treatment controls inflammation

• Improved or preserved comfortable range of motion

• Appropriate strength and flexibility

• Participation in meaningful activities

A hot, swollen joint with fever needs urgent same-day medical assessment. New bladder or bowel control changes with back or neck symptoms, difficulty walking, or rapidly worsening weakness needs emergency assessment. Other new weakness or severe neck pain needs prompt medical care, especially with inflammatory arthritis.

For help evaluating arthritis-related musculoskeletal symptoms in coordination with your medical clinician, contact Haywood Spine and Nerve Center in Waynesville at (828) 456-5700. Ask the clinic how to share medical information securely.

Further reading: NIAMS arthritis overview.

Further reading: NIAMS rheumatoid-arthritis treatment.