Joint problems can arise at any time of our lives and can have a variety of causes, ranging from an injury at work or to joint damage caused by inflammatory disease processes such as arthritis. As we grow older, problems can occur simply through the wear and tear our joints are put through every day of our lives.
Chiropractors can help with many joint problems. Whether you are experiencing pain, stiffness or reduced range of movement in a joint, there is a wide range of chiropractic manipulation techniques designed to help by improving joint function and relieving pain.
The lengthy training that Chiropractors undertake in order to become qualified enables them to assist patients further. Because they understand all the stresses that daily living can put the body under, they are able to give you advice tailored to your own particular needs. This can include:
- Advising on preventative measures designed to help you to avoid recurrence of joint pain
- Advising on diet, exercise, posture and workstation ergonomics, to help in managing a medical condition such as osteoarthritis – as an adjunct to core OA treatments and exercise (for example)
Chiropractic Can Help Manage Arthritic Joint Pain
Where pain is due to an arthritic condition, research has shown that Chiropractic treatment, particularly in conjunction with exercises, is effective and appropriate for helping to reduce joint pain and improve the range of movement as an adjunct to core OA treatments and exercise.
For example, an article on the website of Arthritis Research UK about neck pain, states that:
“seeing a Chiropractor and undertaking light exercise could be the best ways to relieve neck pain”
They go on to describe the findings of a study by the University of Minnesota that compared the effectiveness of spinal manipulation, prescribed exercises and medications – they reported that:
“After 12 weeks, the group that had received spinal manipulation therapy had significantly less pain than patients from the medicated group. This was still true after 26 weeks and one year.”
Your Chiropractor will be able to give advice on exercises (if these are appropriate) to help with your joint pain. In general, gentle exercise can help to relieve pressure on joints and improve muscle flexibility and strength.
Chiropractic care can be a very helpful adjunct to medical care in managing joint pain for patients with arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis. Many patients have concerns about the long-term effects of the anti-inflammatory medications commonly prescribed to treat arthritic conditions. For many patients receiving Chiropractic treatment and taking advice on including gentle daily exercise and improving diet, it is possible to (at least), reduce the need for these medications and therefore, the potential for long-term harm from taking them.
Don’t Try to Ignore Joint Pain
Pain in any joint, whether it is your shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand or your hip, knee, ankle or foot, is a warning sign that should not be ignored; the pain you are feeling might actually be referred pain from a problem elsewhere so it is important to understand the cause of the problem in order to treat it effectively.
Joint pain may be:
- A sharp pain or a constant, nagging ache
- Stiffness in the joint after a period of rest
- A reduced range of movement when using the joint
- Aches and pain in the muscles and soft tissue in the area around the affected joint.
Chiropractors have a complete understanding about how every joint in the body works and the effects on other parts of the body that can arise when a problem strikes a particular joint, such as the hip or knee. By carrying out a thorough examination to understand the root cause of your problem, they can devise a treatment program tailored to your needs. If necessary, they can also refer you to a Healthcare Professional in the relevant specialty if Chiropractic treatment is not appropriate in your case.
Don’t wait for your joint pain to get worse – call us at Bradford House Chiropractic Clinic on 01962 861188 and arrange your appointment today!
