Arthritis prevalence is on the rise in America: according to the CDC, as many as 78 million people over the age of 18 will have some form of doctor-diagnosed arthritis by the year 2040. While primarily thought of as a disease of the elderly, the reality is that 2/3 of people living with arthritis are between the ages of 18 and 65. There are over 100 types of arthritis, but it essentially refers to a condition that causes painful inflammation and stiffness in the joints. There are many causes and medications but no certain cure. At Associates in Chiropractic, we believe that arthritis symptoms can be managed with a calculated approach that uses physical therapy, diet and exercise. 

The words “arthritis,” and “inflammation,” are inexplicably linked, and as such we must focus on fighting the inflammation.

• With non-inflammatory arthritis, best known as osteoarthritis, the inflammation is not self-inflicted, but rather accrues from the wear and tear effect, whereby the joints and bones slowly degenerate to a point where they become chronically sore and stiff. As a result, the sufferer experiences painful inflammation as part of the body’s natural response to the breakdown of cartilage.

• Inflammatory arthritis, best known as rheumatoid arthritis, is much more sinister: classified as an autoimmune disorder, inflammatory arthritis involves the body attacking it’s own healthy tissue. Rheumatoid arthritis most commonly affects hands, wrists and fingers, creating painful inflammation that limits range of motion in the joints. 

Chiropractic itself is very useful to the arthritis sufferer, because adjustments help to fight the body’s production of key inflammatory cytokines which are contributing to your condition. Furthermore, we offer advice on nutrition that can make significant improvements in the management of your symptoms. Consuming omega-3 fatty acids, whether directly through food or with a supplement, helps limit the inflammatory response. Exercise and regular movement are other great ways to combat arthritis, even though the condition does its best to limit both of these endeavors. We can show you simple exercises and purposeful movements that will help to limit the severity of an arthritis attack. 

To make a long story short, living happily with arthritis is not an impossibility. We look forward to hearing from and helping you with whatever health goals you may be setting. 

Dr. Albert Stabile, D.C.