Patrick’s been battling arthritis for what feels like forever. He’s been searching high and low for ways to relieve his achy joints, and guess what? He just stumbled upon the magic of chiropractic care!
Excited to give it a shot, Patrick’s ready to team up with Dr. Greg Doerr from Bergen Chiropractic to tackle his symptoms. With Dr. Doerr’s expertise and a personalized care plan, Patrick’s looking forward to a brighter, pain-free future!
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is basically an inflammatory disease of the joints. It’s a pretty common condition that leads to pain, stiffness, and active swelling of the joints. There are actually many types of arthritis, with the two most common ones are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is usually caused by wear and tear, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system starts attacking the joints. This degenerative joint disease can be a real pain (literally!), but there are effective treatment modalities available to help manage the symptoms and keep you moving!
What are the Different Types of Arthritis?
You’ll be surprised to hear that there are actually over a hundred different types of arthritis! However, not all of them are significantly common forms of this disease, which is why we’ll cover a handful of them.
Osteoarthritis
This is the most common type, usually caused by wear and tear on your joints. It tends to affect older people and can cause pain and stiffness in the knees, hips, and hands.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
When dealing with this disease, the body’s immune system attacks your joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness, particularly in the hands, feet, and wrists.
Psoriatic Arthritis
This type is associated with a skin condition called psoriasis. It causes joint pain and swelling, often in the fingers, toes, and spine.
Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body. It can lead to sudden, severe pain and swelling, usually in the big toe.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
This is a type of inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects the spine, causing pain and stiffness. Over time, the vertebrae can fuse together, limiting flexibility.
Reactive Arthritis
This type occurs after an infection, like food poisoning or a sexually transmitted infection. It can cause pain in the joints and swelling, along with other symptoms, such as eye inflammation and urinary problems.
Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause arthritis-like symptoms in various parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, and heart.
What are the Main Arthritis Symptoms?
Symptoms of arthritis can vary depending on the type of disease you have, but there are some common ones that many people experience. One of the main symptoms is joint pain, which can be anything from a mild ache to a sharp, intense arthritic pain. It might get worse when you’re moving around or after a period of inactivity.
Another common symptom is stiffness in your joints. You might find it difficult to move a certain joint or feel like it’s not as flexible as it used to be. This stiffness can be particularly noticeable when you wake up in the morning or after you’ve been sitting still for a while.
Swelling is also a typical symptom. You might notice that one or more of your joints look puffy and feel warm to the touch. This happens because the inflammation in the joint is causing extra fluid to build up.
Patients with arthritic joint pain might also notice redness around the affected joints, as well as a decreased range of motion, making it harder to perform certain tasks. In some cases, arthritis can cause joint deformities, like crooked fingers or a change in the shape of a joint.
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that arthritis can sometimes cause general feelings of tiredness or fatigue, as your body is dealing with the inflammation and trying to repair any damage.
Keep in mind that symptoms can be different for everyone, so if you’re experiencing any of these, it’s important to talk to your health professional to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Can a Chiropractor Diagnose Arthritis?
You bet! Chiropractors are trained to diagnose various musculoskeletal issues, including arthritis. They go through years of education and hands-on training, so they’re pretty knowledgeable when it comes to identifying joint problems and determining whether arthritis might be the cause!
During your appointment, Dr. Doerr will ask you about your detailed medical history, any symptoms you’re experiencing, and how they’re affecting your daily life. He’ll also perform a physical examination, checking out your joints and looking for any signs of inflammation, swelling, or decreased range of motion.
In some cases, Dr. Doerr might need more information to confirm an arthritis diagnosis. He could refer you for imaging tests like X-rays or an MRI, which can show any joint damage or inflammation. He might also suggest you see a rheumatologist, a specialist who focuses on diagnosing and treating arthritis and other rheumatic conditions.
Is Chiropractic Care Helpful for Arthritis?
Absolutely! Chiropractic care can be super helpful for managing symptoms of arthritis and improving your quality of life. Chiropractors focus on non-invasive techniques to reduce pain, stiffness, and inflammation — some of the main issues people with arthritis deal with.
One thing chiropractors are known for is spinal manipulation, which involves applying controlled force to a joint in the spine to improve its function and relieve pain. Chiropractic adjustments help reduce joint restrictions and misalignments — a big help for spine arthritis patients!
But don’t worry, they don’t just focus on your back! Chiropractors can also work on other joints in your body, such as your knees, hips, or shoulders. They use joint mobilizations, soft tissue techniques, and other complementary therapies to increase your joint range of motion, decrease inflammation, and alleviate pain.
On top of hands-on treatments, chiropractors can be a great resource for advice on physical therapy you can do at home to strengthen your muscles and maintain joint flexibility. They might also recommend lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, to help you manage your arthritis symptoms better.
One important thing to remember is that every patient with arthritis is unique, and chiropractic care should be tailored to your specific needs. Be sure to communicate openly with your chiropractor about your symptoms, concerns, and treatment goals, so they can develop the best care plan for you.
Are You Considering Chiropractic Care for Arthritis? Dr. Doerr is Here to Help!
At Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center, our chiropractic team, led by Dr. Gregory Doerr, adheres to the highest and most professional medical standards to provide superior chiropractic help. Our mission is to provide unparalleled patient care and services in a comfortable healing atmosphere. Access our contact form or call us at (201) 945-4075 to learn more about our chiropractic treatment services! Our chiropractic offices at 532 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park, NJ 07010, and 62 Summit Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601, are ready to welcome you as we proudly serve New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, PA, and Baltimore, MD, areas. Also, feel free to access our blog, Facebook, and Instagram pages for more information on chiropractic treatments!
References
- “Arthritis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772. Accessed 6 May 2023.
- “Arthritis Types.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 Feb. 2019, www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/types.html. Accessed 6 May 2023.
