We are often told that arthritis is a normal part of aging, but this is not true! Arthritis occurs when there is swelling and loss of mobility within a joint. Essentially, degeneration can occur within a joint when it is out of the proper position, inhibiting its ability to move correctly. Arthritis primarily presents itself as joint pain or stiffness and can keep us from doing the things we love to do.
Lack of motion or poor quality of movement in one or more joints can cause arthritis. The degeneration process begins when a misaligned bone in the spine doesn’t move properly. If the misalignment goes unaddressed, the resulting wear and tear will eventually show up as inflammation and pain. Subluxation, or misalignments, in the spine or other joints, can be the root cause of arthritis.
Book Your First Arthritis Exam
Exam includes in-depth whole-body analysis with provider, posture pictures and insight nervous system scans (provided if necessary). Consultation & plan of action will help you understand your care options.
Do you have a job or hobby that has you making the same movements over and over again? Our lifestyles have us performing the same actions repeatedly, and these repetitive movements also contribute to arthritis. Think about a dental assistant, musician, or baseball player. All these activities involve a person doing the same movements repetitively. If you have a spinal subluxation, participating in activities that require repetitive movements puts your joints at risk of wearing down faster.
Proper nutrition is also essential for maintaining joint health. Inflammatory foods feed the existing problems, making arthritis symptoms more prominent. You can decrease joint inflammation by increasing your intake of foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin C. Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats provides essential nutrients that contain antioxidants and phytochemicals that promote joint health.
Standard care for a person presenting with arthritis symptoms is to try to mask the symptoms with medications. People with arthritis are prescribed NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or analgesic pain relievers. Doctors might recommend surgery to replace the worn-down joints or physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the weakened joints. Current research shows that when subluxation is left uncorrected for more than 14 days, the degeneration process begins. Over time, symptoms will arise. This is why it is important to regularly get checked by a chiropractor to see what is going on in your spine. Chiropractors are trained to detect and correct subluxation. They can get to the root cause of the problem and not just mask or temporarily alleviate the symptoms.
How Our Arthritis Care Plan Works
1. Be Heard
And Understood
Quality time with a health professional, so you can be truly heard and understood, isn’t all that common. We understand that. This is why, on your first visit, you will meet with one of our doctors and share your health concerns and struggles so we can understand exactly why you are here and what you want to achieve. The doctor will determine what testing is necessary to find the source of your health concerns and answer the biggest question of all: Can Chiropractic Care Help?
2. Discover How We Can Help You
Every new patient should feel like they are making the right decision for their health. This is why our doctors explain what they are looking for in the testing, so our patients know exactly what is going on, instead of just being a bystander. We will share everything we discover from your testing and exams, including if we can help you. In the unfortunate event that we cannot help, our doctors will provide any additional resources they feel would be appropriate to assist you.
3. Achieve Your Health Goals Together
Whether you just want to be out of pain, or you want to get back to golfing without limitations, or you are desperate to get a restful night’s sleep, we will be with you every step of the way. We’ll achieve your goals
How We Treat Arthritis in West Omaha, NE
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
If you have arthritis and are looking for help, the first step is the new patient consultation. It’s important to discuss your symptoms and how they are affecting your life. The doctor will assess the range and quality of movement in your spine and any other affected joints.
Specific Chiropractic Care in West Omaha, NE
If we determine that subluxation is present in your spine, the doctor will focus on restoring movement in your joints. The chiropractors at Family First Chiropractic do this by removing subluxations through a series of adjustments utilizing the Gonstead Technique. Spinal adjustments relieve symptoms by returning the joint to proper alignment to repair, heal, and function normally. You may also receive specific corrective exercises to help retrain your muscles, enabling you to hold your adjustments longer.
Gonstead Technique Chiropractic Adjustments
The doctors in our office are all trained in the Gonstead Technique, the most precise chiropractic method utilized to detect and correct subluxations. Once a person becomes a patient in our office, they will receive a sequence of adjustments designed by the doctor to address their unique subluxation patterns. With the goal of subluxation correction, our office looks to help alleviate aches and pains AND improve overall function within the nervous system. In addition to chiropractic adjustments, patients will have access to postural, exercise, and nutritional consultations to tackle their specific immunity concerns.
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Common Types of Arthritis We Treat in West Omaha, NE
There are over 100 types of arthritis, each with its characteristics and causes. The most common types include:
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory condition that can cause pain in any joint of the body. It most commonly affects weight-bearing joints such as your spine, hips, knees, and hands. Because Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, normal activities of daily living (ADLs) may become more difficult to perform. Holding your kids, exercising, or reading a book may become less enjoyable due to the symptoms of OA. Subluxation, or the misalignment of a spinal bone interfering with the nervous system’s ability to function optimally, can cause osteoarthritis. Chiropractic specializes in the detection and correction of subluxation, making it vital in the prevention of OA.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory condition where your immune system begins to attack healthy tissues in your joints. Swelling and tenderness are noticed in smaller joints at first, like the fingers, toes, hands, and feet. As RA progresses, larger joints like ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders may be affected. Rheumatoid arthritis differs from other types of arthritis as it can also cause medical conditions in your heart, lungs, eyes, and skin. Chiropractic adjustments improve immune system function and can reduce inflammation in the body, helping with the symptoms of RA.
Gout
Gout is an inflammatory arthritis that feels like a sudden, intense, swelling joint pain, most commonly in the big toe. Gout is mostly a dietary condition with flare-ups caused by the excess consumption of food containing purines such as red meat, organ meat, and sugary foods or drinks. Uric acid buildup in the joint due to the excess breakdown of purines in the body causes the sudden joint pain. Along with chiropractic adjustments to improve blood flow and decrease overall inflammation, an anti-inflammatory diet is typically recommended to prevent gout.
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory arthritis like RA, but it differs in that the skin condition psoriasis may accompany it. One-third of people who develop psoriasis develop PsA. Symptoms may be mild to severe, with pain and swelling in the joints of fingers and toes. Another symptom of psoriatic arthritis is the pitting or separation of the nails from the nail bed. Chiropractic adjustments help with psoriatic arthritis symptoms by improving joint mobility and blood flow decreasing inflammation in the body.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a term for multiple types of arthritis that may affect children under 16. With idiopathic meaning ‘unknown,’ the cause of JIA is undetermined. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is an autoimmune condition, which means that an improperly functioning immune system is attacking the joints and causing pain, stiffness, and swelling similar to other types of arthritis. Although there is no cure for JIA, chiropractic can play a role in preventing and managing its symptoms by improving immune system function and mobility in the joints. This is why it’s vital for children to get their spine checked by a chiropractor early and regularly!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chiropractic care good for arthritis?
Absolutely! Chiropractic care helps restore joints to their proper position, reducing inflammation and allowing them to move without restriction.
Does chiropractic make arthritis worse?
The complete opposite! Chiropractic helps restore proper movement within the body. With time, inflammation and pain can be reduced when under chiropractic care.
Can a chiropractor help with joint pain?
Yes. A chiropractor focuses on correcting subluxation – a misalignment of one or more joints. Correcting the joints’ position reduces inflammation, which restores healing within the body.
Does popping your back give you arthritis?
No. When a person stretches or moves in an attempt to “pop” their back, they release air trapped within the joints due to improper alignment. A chiropractor is trained to detect and correct misalignments, which can reduce pain and inflammation.
What helps arthritis pain in the lower spine?
Low-impact exercise and yoga or stretching can be helpful. The best approach to help with arthritis pain is to get to the root cause. Visiting a chiropractor can help you determine if subluxation is the cause of your arthritis.
How often should you get adjusted by a chiropractor?
The frequency of adjustments varies for each individual based on the condition of their spine. However, degeneration can begin within 14 days (about two weeks) of subluxation.
What is the best vitamin for stiff joints?
Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C can help with joint stiffness. Both have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling.
Book Your First Arthritis Exam
Exam includes in-depth whole-body analysis with provider, posture pictures and insight nervous system scans (provided if necessary). Consultation & plan of action will help you understand your care options.