Stiffness
in the joints is a common condition that increases with aging. When the
stiffness worsens to the point of being painful, arthritis may be the
diagnosis. Arthritis is breakdown of normal cartilage caused by either
excessive joint wear and tear or from an autoimmune disease called
rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease where the body
is actually fighting itself. This is what the term autoimmune means.
Rheumatoid arthritis is usually occurs on both sides of the body. This
means it occurs in both hands, both knees, etc. In contrast, the other
form of arthritis, called degenerative arthritis, will usually occur on
one side. This form of arthritis is chiefly due to wear and tear or
repetitive injury to the same joint or joints.
It
is important to use arthritic joints as disuse also leads to more
arthritic changes; however, it is vital to not over stress an arthritic
joint; otherwise, the swelling may significantly worsen. If you have
either form of joint arthritis, your Doctor of Chiropractic should be
consulted before you begin any exercise program or commit to any
significant physically related lifestyle changes.
Chiropractors
see many patients with degenerative arthritis. The spine is especially
susceptible to this disorder. In fact, you may have the early signs of
spinal degenerative arthritis but just have not noticed the symptoms
yet. Simple palpation (feeling) of the vertebrae while the spine is
slowly being moved can discover joints that do mot move as freely as
other joints do. This is one finding that could lead to a diagnosis of
degenerative arthritis. Another revealing procedure is a simple x-ray.
A x-ray film can reveal the bony changes associated with either
degenerative or rheumatic arthritis.
The
treatment
for the two types of arthritis is similar. Both require ice, passive
motion (the practitioner moves the joint while the patient remains
relaxed) and or the use of ultrasound to help control the swelling.
Moist heat is also needed to help increase circulation. Paraffin wax
baths are helpful for hands and wrists while moist hot packs are used
for the spine, shoulders, and knees. Arthritic hips may require
deep-heat sources like microwave or short-wave diathermy. This is
because the hip joints are seated to deeply in the pelvis to reach with
more commonly used therapies. Your chiropractor can provide, prescribe,
or recommend these therapies as needed. The application of spinal and
or extremity manipulation may also be used to help you gain control
over your arthritic condition. Nutritional counseling, exercise
instruction, and lifestyle changes may additional considerations during
your course of care.