Joint inflammation, also known as arthritis, occurs for various reasons. Whether you’re addicted to texting on your handheld device, overdoing it when you exercise, or have an underlying condition due to overuse or improper warm-ups, you may find yourself with inflamed and painful joints.
Because chiropractic care centers around the health and function of the body’s joints, its natural techniques can help minimize the effects of arthritis, allowing patients to find comfort and restored movement.
While many believe arthritis is a condition that only affects older patients, the fact is that anyone, regardless of age, can be affected by the condition, depending on lifestyle, habits, and the body’s unique mechanics.
If you suffer from joint pain that may be due to arthritis, let’s schedule an appointment so we can identify the cause of your pain and teach you how to better support your body.
What is Arthritis & Do I Have It?
Arthritis is a condition that occurs when tissues in and around a joint become compromised and inflamed. Typically, this imbalance leads to joint dysfunction and can create several symptoms.
Common symptoms of arthritis include:
- Pain that ranges in severity and may worsen when the joint is used
- Stiffness
- Joint instability
- Reduced range of motion in the affected joint
- Muscle weakness
- Damage to ligaments and tendons
- Altered biomechanics
- Chronic pain
- Redness and warmth
- Visible swelling
These symptoms and the condition itself can lead to further injury or even other chronic conditions, such as:
Partnering with our Rochester arthritis chiropractor will help identify and address the issues causing your discomfort.
Why Do I Have Arthritis?
As mentioned, all types of people can suffer from arthritis; however, some individuals are more prone to it than others. It’s vital to find the reason behind your unique case to ensure that the proper treatment and proactive strategy can be designed.
Certain lifestyles, events, and habits that contribute to arthritis include:
- A traumatic event, such as a sports injury or a car accident
- Repetitive strain and overuse of the joint, often due to occupation, exercise, or sport
- Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout
- Obesity
- Age
- Family history
- Biomechanics
Of course, many of these cannot be helped, but with the right chiropractic treatment plan, you can optimize your body and learn how to manage your symptoms responsibly.
Chiropractic Treatments to Reduce the Effects of Joint Inflammation
While chiropractic care can’t cure arthritis, it can be incredibly beneficial in managing pain, loss of motion, and stiffness. Using a comprehensive approach that includes physical care and lifestyle guidance, patients can find relief safely and get the tools to reduce flare-ups.
Chiropractic treatments for arthritis are natural and noninvasive, allowing you to return to your routine with no downtime and renewed confidence.
Chiropractic adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments, also known as spinal manipulations, balance the spine and other affected joints to improve mobility and reduce nerve irritation. The technique involves applying a controlled force to the joint to restore function and proper joint motion.
For arthritis sufferers, an adjustment can decrease joint stiffness, enhance range of motion, and relieve pain by optimizing joint mechanics and reducing pressure on inflamed tissues.
Flexion-distraction table
A flexion-distraction table is a specially designed table that stretches and decompresses the spine. This technique improves spinal mobility, decompresses discs, enhances circulation, and reduces joint pressure that is caused by arthritis in the spine.
We often incorporate the flexion-distraction table in a comprehensive wellness strategy for patients suffering from spinal arthritis.
Soft tissue therapies
Myofascial or soft-tissue therapies are used to address tension and stiffness in the surrounding soft tissue around joints. These methods help alleviate pain and enhance flexibility, which is often compromised by joint inflammation.
Common soft tissue therapies used to relieve arthritis pain include:
Dry needling
Dry needling targets trigger points in muscles to relieve tension and pain. For arthritis, it helps by easing muscle tightness around affected joints, improving mobility, and reducing inflammation-related discomfort, especially in cases where muscle imbalances contribute to joint stress.
Cupping therapy
Cupping therapy utilizes suction to enhance blood flow and release tight fascia and muscle layers. This helps arthritis symptoms by promoting circulation, reducing inflammation, and relieving pain and stiffness in the muscles around arthritic joints.
Muscle release techniques
Muscle release techniques involve manual pressure and movement to break up scar tissue and adhesions in muscles and fascia. In arthritis care, it relieves surrounding soft tissue tension, which reduces joint stress and improves overall function, helping to minimize stiffness and pain.
Fascial manipulation
Fascial manipulation targets specific points in the fascia to restore movement and reduce tension. Addressing dysfunctional fascial patterns helps decrease joint stiffness and pain commonly associated with arthritis.
Instrument-Assisted Soft-tissue Mobilization or Graston Technique
Instrument-Assisted Soft-tissue Mobilization (IASTM) or Graston Technique uses specialized tools to break up scar tissue and fascial restrictions. This enhances mobility, reduces muscle tightness around arthritic joints, and promotes circulation to decrease inflammation and pain.
Post-Isometric Relaxation
Post-Isometric Relaxation (PIR) involves gently contracting a muscle, followed by a passive stretch to release tension. It helps arthritis by reducing muscle tightness, improving joint range of motion, and relieving pain without straining inflamed tissues.
Functional rehabilitation
Functional rehabilitation uses targeted exercises to restore joint mobility, strength, and coordination.
For patients with arthritis, we’ll design exercises and stretches tailored to your specific needs. These plans focus on correcting functional and routine movement patterns, supporting long-term health by improving stability, and reducing pain and compensatory strain that can worsen joint degeneration.
NormaTec therapy
NormaTec recovery utilizes dynamic compression sleeves to enhance circulation and minimize swelling.
For arthritis, it helps flush out inflammatory waste products, reduce joint inflammation, and promote faster recovery after activity or therapy, easing overall discomfort and stiffness.
Shockwave therapy
Shockwave therapy delivers acoustic waves to stimulate healing in soft tissues and joints.
We use this treatment on patients with arthritis to enhance blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration, all of which help alleviate chronic pain and improve joint function without the need for invasive procedures.
Sports chiropractic
Sports chiropractic and sports rehabilitation combine traditional adjustments with performance-focused therapies to enhance overall function, efficiency, and well-being.
For individuals with arthritis, it provides personalized care that addresses movement patterns, reduces joint stress, and optimizes performance, making it easier to stay active and minimize arthritis-related limitations.
Our healing and recovery strategies typically consist of several organic therapies designed to quickly and safely reduce joint inflammation, achieving optimal results.
Why Work with Our Rochester Arthritis Chiropractor
Dr. Skare is prepared to provide you with invaluable tools and treatments to manage your arthritis symptoms effectively. We’ve seen our patients return to pain-free function with improved mobility, balance, coordination, and overall well-being, and we’re confident that we can help you too.
Our holistic, natural care can:
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Restore range of motion
- Enhance nerve function
- Promote the body’s intuitive healing process
- Reduce the need for injections, medication, and surgery
Because we understand the relationships within the body and how movement patterns and mechanics can generate compensatory reactions, we always take a comprehensive approach to treatment.
We provide advice on everything from posture and ergonomics to exercises and stretches, because we know that lifestyle adjustments can make a significant difference in controlling arthritis symptoms and preventing further injury.
Let our Rochester chiropractic clinic help you live a more comfortable and active life. Today’s the day to start.