How to Treat Arthritis.
I’ve Been Told I Have Arthritis… What can I do about it?
Arthritis refers to the inflammation of your joints. It usually manifests in symptoms of joint pain, swelling, stiffness, skin redness, and decreased mobility. But it can also have major additive effects on the quality of life, increasing fatigue and affecting your sleep. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, or have been diagnosed with arthritis, don’t worry – you’re not alone! Arthritis affects approximately 3.6 million Australians (ABS, 2018). Fortunately, there are many ways to manage arthritis and prevent its progression!
Contributing Factors
Many factors contribute to arthritis development:
- Genetics – If arthritis runs in your family, you may have a heightened chance of developing the condition. In fact, if a relative has rheumatoid arthritis, it increases one’s risk of developing arthritis by 0.8%!
- Age – As we age, our cartilage goes through a degenerative process, reducing its ability to cushion and absorb shock. Additionally, ligaments become less elastic and flexible as we age, affecting mobility. Hence, arthritis is generally more prevalent in older individuals!
- Gender – Arthritis is particularly prevalent in older women. Specifically, the proportion of females with arthritis increased from 2.7% to 57.3% between the ages of under 45 and over 65 (ABS, 2018)
- Prior Injuries – If you have previously injured a joint, you may be susceptible to post-traumatic arthritis, whereby there is stiffness and pain in your affected joints after injury
- Obesity – Excess weight can negatively stress and damage critical joints, particularly in your knees, hips and spine. This exacerbates the risk of arthritis development.
Managing Arthritis
Unfortunately, arthritis cannot be cured, but it can be managed! Chiropractors can perform chiropractic adjustments such as gentle spine and joint manipulation. This will relieve built-up tension, re-align parts of the body that have been impacted by arthritic pain, and prevent the arthritis from progressing. Dry needling uses thin needles to stimulate myofascial trigger points, which also helps to relax soft tissue and alleviate pain stemming from arthritis-induced stiffness. Some benefits of chiropractic treatment for arthritis include:
- Reduced bodily inflammation caused by arthritis
- Improved joint flexibility
- Improved bodily mobility and overall quality of life
- Alleviated pain across affected areas
Are you experiencing these symptoms? Our chiropractors are here to look after you! Click here to book a consultation and treatment with a chiropractor.
