Arthritis is an incredibly common condition that affects many people around the world every year. However, arthritis is a vague term that refers to a host of different conditions which all cause joint inflammation in one way or another. 

Chiropractic care can be a great treatment for arthritis sufferers, as chiropractors help to address some of the underlying causes of arthritis. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at arthritis and discuss whether or not chiropractic care is the right option for your arthritis symptoms. 

Different Types of Arthritis

As was mentioned in the introduction, arthritis simply means joint inflammation. However, there are many different kinds of arthritis, each of which has a very different root cause than the others.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition. This means that the body’s own immune system no longer differentiates between healthy tissue and non-healthy tissue. As a result, the immune system begins to attack healthy joint tissue, leading to the characteristic “knobby” appearance seen in joints affected by this condition. 

This issue is very serious, and many patients with rheumatoid arthritis will have good days and bad days. On their bad days, it can be difficult for them to even get out of bed due to the pain. 

Osteoarthritis

If you’re over the age of 60, the odds are that you have osteoarthritis in at least one joint. This condition occurs in nearly everyone past a certain age. 

Osteoarthritis is often termed “wear and tear” arthritis, as it frequently results from overuse and misuse of the body for many years on end. This form of arthritis is the main reason why most patients pursue joint replacement surgeries.

Athletes and those who were very active early in life are at particularly high risk for developing osteoarthritis. However, no matter who you are, or what your activity level is, it seems that we all suffer from at least some small amount of joint degeneration later in life.  

Psoriatic Arthritis

Some people who have the dermatological condition psoriasis will develop joint pain as well. Psoriatic arthritis causes a painful, aching sensation in the joints. Luckily, the pain isn’t constant, as the condition is caused by “flare-ups”.

Gouty Arthritis

Gout, or gouty arthritis is a form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body. This substance, found in many foods, is usually easily cleared and dealt with by our bodies. But those with gout have a buildup of this substance, which often leads to pain in the joints.

Interestingly, the one joint that is most frequently affected by gout is the big toe. Gout sufferers will often report this as a first symptom, then the condition may spread to other joints throughout the body. 

Treating Arthritis

Obviously, the treatment for arthritis will depend largely on which type of arthritis the person has. For instance, someone with gout might take medication to help manage the condition. On the other hand, someone with osteoarthritis may simply modify his or her activities in order to manage the issue. 

But all forms of arthritis respond well to chiropractic care. By manipulating specific areas of the spine, your chiropractor can increase the mobility in your spine, leading to better communication between your central nervous system and the affected joints. 

In turn, this better communication allows more blood to reach the healing tissues, leading to better outcomes in the long run. 

Chiropractic care is the best way to navigate all forms of arthritis. If you are dealing with arthritis and aren’t sure where to turn, come see our team at At Last Chiropractic, the go-to Lithia chiropractor. We can help you today! Book your appointment now!