Relief From Arthritis

Many people deal with daily pain due to arthritis and think that there’s nothing they can do about it – it’s just something they have to live with as they grow older. 

Nothing could be further from the truth!

Arthritis is the process of cartilage and bone in your joints breaking down and becoming rough or jagged around the edges. These rough edges cause reduced mobility and pain. However, most of the intense pain and stiffness comes from the soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments) around the joint becoming irritated and inflamed.

Once arthritis forms, it usually cannot be reversed – but making a few key lifestyle choices can dramatically reduce its speed of progression and decrease the inflammation around the joint that causes pain.

Good health comes from the inside out. My key belief is that great physical health comes from a combination of regular chiropractic care, daily exercise and good nutrition. All three of these factors can help improve the pain from arthritis.

One of the best ways to reduce the progression of arthritis is through a healthy diet. Inflammatory foods – fatty meat, processed meat, sugar, fast food, frozen foods, junk food, and soft drinks – provide very few building blocks for a strong body and actually create illness and disease and contribute to arthritis and inflammation. 

Focus your diet on foods that tip the scale away from inflammation – lean whole meats, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and raw nuts. Your body will thank you. 

Additionally, supplements like omega-3 (from fish oil), glucosamine/chondroitin, and MSM have all been shown to reduce the symptoms of arthritis. It will likely take 4-6 weeks to notice the full benefit of a changed diet – so stick with it!

All right, your diet is full of good stuff that provides your body with exactly what it needs to build strong bones and joints. Now what? 

The cartilage in your joints does not have a blood supply. Therefore, all that good stuff you’ve been eating won’t get to the cartilage unless you get off the couch and exercise! 

Joints only receive nourishment when you move – the more you move, the healthier your arthritic joints will be and feel. Studies have conclusively shown that one of the most effective treatments for arthritis is exercise – even just a 30 minute walk 5-7 times per week. Non-weight-bearing activities such as bicycling and swimming are great too. 

Finally, let’s talk about chiropractic care. Chiropractic care works so well because it releases stiff joints – allowing improved movement and more nourishment to reach the joints. It also strengthens the surrounding muscles – reducing stress on the arthritic joint. 

The benefit of chiropractic care is not limited to the spine – a 2008 study showed that chiropractic care for knee osteoarthritis effectively reduced the pain, reduced the clicking and grinding, and improved the mobility of the knee.

You do not have to live with pain – there is always something that can be done to help. Chiropractic care, diet, and exercise can all help reduce the pain from arthritis. 

Call me today to find out how chiropractic can help you!