Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care

The most common form of arthritis has many labels: osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and spondylosis if it is in the spine. This form of arthritis is not limited to humans, but occurs in all mammals, and is due to the breakdown of the cartilage that protects the joint surfaces. Degenerative changes in the joint happens when joint cartilage is injured and causes stress to the sensitive bone tissue that is ordinarily guarded by the cartilage. Occasionally, osteophytes, or bone spurs, can occur when the bone around the joint proliferates. Bone spurs cause painful inflammation to other tissues adjacent to the joint aggravating the already grievous condition. 

Degenerative joints as a rule occur in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, hips, and fingers. Everyone may experience DJD at one point in their lives, though previous trauma, ones occupation, activities, weight, diet, and heredity influence the degree of the condition and its onset.

Pain and/or stiffness in the affected joints are primary indicators of DJD. As the condition advances there can be loss of mobility, notably when weight-bearing joints such as hips or knees are involved.  In some cases, if the joint is appreciably worn and the person can no longer walk without severe hip or knee pain, the joints are surgically replaced with synthetic devices. Of course, one should make an effort to manage the condition early on in ones life to avoid the need for surgery.

Prevention is always the best option, beginning at an early age.

• Making sure that all injuries to joints are properly treated will help to avoid future problems.
• People involved in occupations that necessitate standing or walking should wear appropriate shoes that give good support and shock absorption.
• Weight loss through proper diet will help to reduce stress on weight-bearing body joints.

• Avoid kneeling on hard surfaces, such as when doing housework, as this can put strain and produce knee pain.

• Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables as they have natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are crucial for the health of the joints, as well as the rest of the body.

Recently there have been some studies that reveal that the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can help with DJD and may actually help rebuild joint cartilage. However, it must be used over an extended period and does not work in all conditions.

Chiropractic adjustments aid in the restoration of proper mobility and function to the spinal joints. Chiropractic care is not only sound, but extremely effective in relieving the debilitating pain of arthritis. Your Chicago chiropractor is highly skilled when it comes to arthritic pain relief. Other forms of chiropractic care may include joint mobilization, massage, ultrasound, cold laser, or electro-therapy, all of which may be helpful in the relief of painful and stiff joints. Occasionally, a brace is necessary to support the joint and relieve pain. A chiropractor may suggest exercises such as stretching, yoga, tai chi and other gentle mobilizing activities to help maintain arthritic joints.

Gout

Gouty arthritis is caused by increased levels of uric acid in the blood and the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. Generally, gouty arthritis is characterized by acute pain and swelling of the joints in the big toes, knees, ankles and wrists. A large number of people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are usually brought on by binge eating of inflammatory foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Foods that must be avoided include a natural substance called Purines that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. People with this condition cannot efficiently metabolize uric acid, thus the proliferation in the bloodstream and the subsequent joint problems. The foods most associated with high purine content are: red meat especially organ meat, certain seafood, legumes, mushrooms and other foods as well. There are other dietary restrictions that must be followed including refraining from drinking alcohol.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is systemic in nature and thought to be created by immune system dysfunction. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees, and shoulder, though other areas of the body can be affected as well. The condition is generally associated with morning stiffness that is aggravated by motion. Many times people complain of general malaise and fatigue, and the disease in its more advanced forms can affect many of the other body systems. Rheumatoid arthritis can be easily identified through particularized blood tests. Management includes medication and vitamin and diet therapy, as well as chiropractic manipulations. In addition, joint mobilization and modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy and massage can help with the pain and stiffness associated the condition. Your Chicago chiropractor is dedicated to supporting individuals in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.

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Nearly all of injuries can be put into two classifications: 1) traumatic injury, such as a slip, fall, or collision and, 2) repetitive stress or overuse injury.

Traumatic Injuries

As the name implies, this type of injury produces the sort of incapacitation and debilitation most commonly associated with trauma. As a rule injuries to the ligaments (the tissue that connects bone to bone) and to muscles are the most commonplace, although the trauma of fractures and dislocations frequently occurs in contact sports. Damage to a ligament is called a sprain, while damage to a muscle or its tendon is a strain. The most common parts of the body for these sorts of injuries are the ankles, knees, and shoulders, nevertheless other areas can be affected including the low back and neck. Injuries to the neck and low back can be quite serious as the spinal cord or spinal nerves can also be affected.

Traumatic injuries can range from a mild “muscle pull” or ankle twist to a serious problem necessitating surgery. It all depends upon the severity of tearing of the tissues, the location, and the age of the person. Some amount of swelling happens with almost all sprains and strains. But, with certain injuries, especially those of the ankle and knee, there can be some internal bleeding as well. With all strains and sprains appropriate management is vital, especially during the initial stages of the injury to assure proper healing and avoid future disability. Attention from a competent health-care professional, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, is highly recommended.

Listed below is an acronym for the post-injury management of sprains and strains expressly if no professional aid is available: PRICE
P    Protect injury from additional damage
R    Rest the injured area
I     Ice injury to reduce swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C    Compress injury with a specifically designed or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E    Elevate the injury, especially when dealing with ankles and knees

As formerly mentioned, knowledgeable evaluation and management are vital to a thorough recovery. A chiropractor can find out the extent of your injury and begin needed recovery treatment. Nearly all of these injuries can recover, but they do require proper care during the various stages of healing. If not treated attentively, some sprains and strains can result in long-lasting problems such as joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. Experienced management of your sports injury by a chiropractor with years of experience in sports injury care will insure that your injury recovers properly. Call your Santa Barbara Chiropractor if you have sustained a traumatic injury.

Repetitive Stress, or Overuse, Injuries

These injuries are becoming more and more common, expressly among people pursuing sports such as golf, tennis, bowling, and any other activity that requires the same movement over and over (repetitively). Something as simple and healthy as running, particularly on a treadmill, can also be a factor.

Repetitious activity can generally produce a very slight strain to tissues, especially tendons and muscles. Nevertheless, it is the accumulative effects of the repetition that produces the more serious problem.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most frequent kinds of overuse injuries. Over time the muscle or other affected tissue establishes changes that no longer permit it to function normally, resulting in pain, stiffness and disability. There are two categories of factors that predispose a person to these types of problems:  1) Intrinsic, i.e., found within a person’s own body, and 2) Extrinsic, i.e., external factors that can frequently be changed or controlled by the individual.

Some of the most prevalent intrinsic factors for injury

Age is the mostgeneral intrinsic factor for injury. The older a person is, the easier it is for that man or woman to get injured. Congenital abnormalities are another factor. There are those who are born with joint or muscle problems. And, lastly, previous injuries are a factor as they generally prohibit the joints or muscles from functioning correctly.

Extrinsic factors for injury

Extrinsic factors are plentiful.  A wrong grip size of a tennis racket, worn-out running shoes, an uneven treadmill surface, or a too-hard surface for soccer are all examples of deficient sports equipment that can produce problems. Inept technique in any sport, such as an incorrect golf grip is, as they say, an injury waiting to happen Another factor is poor conditioning. A number of people are injured because they aren’t in shape. Added frequency or extended duration of an activity, without developing slowly, can produce the conditions for injury. Lack of flexibility can cause injury if a person is too stiff to do an activity safely. Lack of warm-up, like stretching and appropriate preparation, is a prevalent factor in injuries.  And, lastly, but perhaps surprising to some, stress is a factor. Muscles that are tense and inflexible due to stress are too tight and, as such, unprepared for most sports activities.

There are a number of factors that are extrinsic and, hence, within a person’s control. Before embarking on a new sport, or as a way to avoid injury in a current sport, it’s a good idea to get an evaluation of your current body condition. If you’ve been injured, it is extremely to seek out a experienced professional, like a chiropractor, to determine the nature of the injury and design a plan of treatment. If left untreated, sports injuries can considerably affect a person’s life and limit a favorite activity. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is often required to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is and excellent source of help. Call a chiropractor if you’re either thinking of beginning a new activity, you’re feeling pain related to a current sports activity, or you’ve sustained a sports injury. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has years of experience helping people just like you.

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