Chiropractic Care and Arthritis Pain: What to Know

Arthritis is a common condition that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. For many people it gets in the way of activities they enjoy.

Alongside medical care, chiropractic care is a non-invasive option that may help with some kinds of arthritis-related pain, particularly in the back and neck. It is not appropriate for every type of arthritis or every joint. Here is what you should know.

What is Arthritis? And How Does It Affect the Body?

Arthritis is a general term for conditions that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. The most common types are:

• Osteoarthritis: Caused by gradual changes in the joint over time. It typically affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and spine, as well as the hands.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune condition in which the body attacks its own joint tissue. It often begins in the smaller joints of the hands and feet.
• Psoriatic Arthritis: Affects some people with the skin condition psoriasis, causing joint pain and swelling.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis: An inflammatory condition of the spine that can lead to fusion of the vertebrae over time.

Can Arthritis Be Cured?

Arthritis cannot be cured, but its symptoms can be managed. Chiropractic care does not cure arthritis and does not change what an X-ray shows. For the inflammatory types, medication prescribed by a rheumatologist protects the joints from lasting damage and should not be replaced.

How Nerves Are Involved in Arthritis Pain

• Joints are full of nerve endings. The capsule and lining of a joint sense pain, pressure, and position. When a joint is irritated, these nerves signal pain and the surrounding muscles tighten to protect it.
• Arthritis in the spine can affect nerve roots. The small facet joints along the back of the spine commonly develop osteoarthritis with age. Bone spurs and thickened joints can narrow the openings where nerves exit, causing pain, numbness, or tingling that travels into an arm or leg.
• Pain signaling can become more sensitive. With long-standing arthritis, the nervous system can amplify pain, which is why pain does not always match the amount of joint change.

Where Chiropractic Care May Fit

Back and Neck Pain From Osteoarthritis

The Arthritis Foundation notes that chiropractic care may help with back or neck pain from osteoarthritis. Broader research on spinal adjustment suggests modest benefits for some low back and neck pain, though those results are not specific to the instrument-assisted techniques we use.

Easing Muscle Tension and Stiffness

Muscles around an arthritic joint often stay tight. Improving how the neighboring joints move may reduce that guarding and make daily movement more comfortable.

Staying Active

Exercise is strongly recommended for osteoarthritis, along with weight management when needed. Being able to move with less pain makes it easier to stay active. Your recommendations may include chiropractic care, appropriate exercises, or coordination with another healthcare professional. In one clinical trial of hip osteoarthritis, patient education combined with hands-on care from a chiropractor reduced pain more than a home stretching program over six weeks. The advantage was less clear at one year.

When Adjustments Are Not Appropriate

The Arthritis Foundation advises against chiropractic treatment of joints with active inflammation, such as during a flare, and for people with a fused spine or osteoporosis in the spine or neck. Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the stability of the upper neck. If our examination finds signs of upper cervical instability, we will refer you for further medical evaluation before any adjustment. Tell us your diagnosis and medications so we can adapt your care. Our practice uses gentle, instrument-assisted techniques.

Seek prompt medical care for a hot, swollen joint with fever, sudden numbness or weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or a painful red eye.

Start With an Assessment

If you are living with arthritis and want to know whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your back, neck, or joint pain, an evaluation is the place to start. The At Last Chiropractic team will assess your spinal health and tell you plainly what we can help with and when another provider is the better fit. Contact us today, or start with the new patient evaluation below.