Arthritis?

Spine-Health defines arthritis as "many different diseases that cause tenderness, pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints. With Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, the cartilage around the joint wears out and causes the bones in the joint to rub against each other, creating inflammation and pain. Most forms of arthritis can occur in any joint in the body, including the joints in the spinal column. Osteoarthritis of the spine can lead to lost flexibility; bone spurs (osteophytes), irritated nerves, back pain or spinal stenosis, and sciatica symptoms. Sometimes the terms spondylosis or degenerative joint disease are used interchangeablely with osteoarthritis."

If you are suffering from arthritis you may experience swelling in your joints(particularly during weather changes), local tenderness, steady or intermittent aching pain, loss of flexibility, occasional pinching feeling during motion, and/or a crunching feeling or sound when a joint is moved.

Chiropractors are an essential part of your treatment team when dealing with arthritis. Spine-Health says, "Due to the varied treatment plans for osteoarthritis, there will likely be several health professionals involved in a patient's care. This integrated approach has been shown to result in better pain reduction and function improvement for patients with osteoarthritis. For example, members of your osteoarthritis treatment team may include a combination of the following back health professionals:

• Primary care physicians. Doctors who treat patients before they are referred to other specialists in the health care system (may include medical doctors, osteopathic physicians and/or chiropractors)."

If you or someone you know is suffering from arthritis I would recommend that you seek an evaluation/examination to determine what your best treatment options are. We have treatment many people with arthritis and arthritic conditions and I would welcome the opportunity to become part of your health team.

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