ArthritDRX9000is & Treatments
ARTHRITIS
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a relatively generic term that actually encompasses a variety of different conditions. There are various types of arthritis. Some of the more common cases show relatively normal joints, making up the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine (neck, mid-back and low back).
Who Does Arthritis Affect?
More than 27 million people are affected by osteoarthritis (OA), making it the most common type of arthritis in the U.S. OA of the knee and hips is the most common cause of arthritis-related disability in the U.S. Most people with OA are over the age 45. Overall, more women are more likely than men to develop OA. Radiographic (X-ray) signs of OA are sometimes seen in people as young as their 20’s.
What Causes Arthritis? While some forms of arthritis can be hereditary, others can be related to immune system dysfunction. The cause of many forms of arthritis is idiopathic, or unknown. Primary osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis and is referred to as “wear-and-tear” arthritis, because it is known that the joints can wear out faster when used more or inappropriately. It is sometimes assumed that arthritis is a “normal” consequence of aging. However, not all people within any advanced age group develop arthritis. There are other factors that can lead to the development of osteoarthritis. For example, if there is a condition whereby your joints are under increased pressure during regular daily activities, those joints are likely to degenerate at an advanced rate.
Examination Procedures for the Diagnosis of Arthritis
While the diagnosis of arthritis is often assumed by the history and exam, sometimes other tests are ordered. This can include blood tests, usually if rheumatoid or another variant is a possibility, and X-rays of the involved and related joints. X-rays can show signs of arthritis and help to delineate which form a person may have.
Common Chiropractic & Other Conservative Treatments
Pain from arthritis is commonly helped from Chiropractic care, including spinal adjustments, spinal decompression, manual stretching, exercises and traction. Chiropractic care can help restore normal alignment of the spine and pelvis thereby taking pressure off of the joints. Diminishing this pressure may diminish or stop the rate of degeneration of the spine, hips and other related joints.
Common Medical Interventions
Commonly, medical intervention for osteoarthritis is to diminish the symptoms with the use of pain killers and anti-inflammatories. This only hides the symptoms though, and the problem is likely to worsen. When the problem worsens, corticosteroid injections into the involved joints are a common procedure medical doctors recommend. This also only works to hide the symptoms. Surgery, including total joint replacement, is the last medical effort used to treat osteoarthritis. There are no joint replacement surgeries available for the spine though. Surgical attempts to help people with chronic spine pain are much less successful than those for other joints of the body.
Chiropractic Care May Have a Positive Influence on Arthritis
Many thorough studies have been performed on patients with symptoms that are often related to arthritis. In particular, osteoarthritic patients have benefited from Chiropractic care and Spinal Decompression treatment.
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