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Introduction

Arthritis is more often than not confusing to most suffers.When some people hear this word they contemplate a future with crippled and twisted joints.  However, many conditions from benign to severe are filed under the term, arthritis. For our purposes we will restrict this discourse to the most common forms of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care

The most common form of arthritis has many terms: osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and spondylosis if it is in the spine. This form of arthritis is not limited to humans, but occurs in all mammals, and is due to the breakdown of the cartilage that protects the joint surfaces. When joint cartilage is harmed, the sensitive bone tissue that is usually preserved by the cartilage becomes stressed causing degenerative changes in the joint. Sometimes the bone around the joint will proliferate and make osteophytes, or what are familiarly called bone spurs. These spurs can produce painful irritation to other tissues adjacent to the joint, thus complicating the already distressing condition. 

Degenerative joints principally occur in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, hips, and fingers. Everyone may experience DJD at one point in their lives, though previous trauma, ones occupation, activities, weight, diet, and heredity influence the degree of the condition and its onset.

Pain and/or stiffness in the affected joints are primary indicators of DJD. If the weight-bearing joints, such as the hips or knees are involved, ones mobility can be affected notably in the more advanced stages of the condition.  As a last resort joints can be surgically replaced with synthetic devices. This should be done only in severe cases where the joint is appreciably worn and movement is unattainable without severe pain.

The best management of DJD is, of course, prevention that involves taking care of ones joints at an early age.

• One should always make sure that, especially when young, all injuries to joints are correctly managed to insure proper healing to avoid future disability.
• People involved in occupations that demand standing or walking should wear suitable shoes that give good support and shock absorption.
• Excess body weight can cause increased stress upon the weight bearing joints of the body.

• Care should be taken to guard knees from pain aad strain when kneeling on hard surfaces.

• The natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants included in fruits and vegetables are essential for healthy joints and a healthy body.

Recent studies have shown that long-term use of the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can not only assist with DJD symptoms, but may actually help to rebuild joint cartilage.

Chiropractic adjustments help to restore proper mobility and function to the spinal joints. Chiropractic care is not only safe, but extremely effective in relieving the debilitating pain of arthritis. Your Chicago chiropractor is highly experienced when it comes to arthritic pain relief. Other forms of chiropractic care may include joint mobilization, massage, ultrasound, cold laser, or electro-therapy, all of which may be helpful in the relief of painful and stiff joints. On occasion a brace is used to help stabilize the joint in an effort to alleviate pain. Movement is vital to the maintenance of arthritic joints. A chiropractor often suggests gentle, mobilizing activities such as stretching, yoga, and tai chi can be beneficial.

Gout

Gouty arthritis is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood and the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. Generally, gouty arthritis is characterized by severe pain and swelling of the joints in the big toes, knees, ankles and wrists. Most people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are usually brought on by binge eating of inflammatory foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Particular foods such as red meat (especially organ meat), certain seafood, legumes, and mushrooms have the natural substance, Purines, that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. Since individuals with gout cannot efficiently metabolize uric acid, the increase in the bloodstream creates joint problems. In addition to the foods described and additional foods containing Purines, other dietary restrictions must be followed including the avoidance of alcohol.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is systemic in nature and thought to be produced by immune system dysfunction. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees, and shoulder, though other areas of the body can be affected as well. Morning stiffness made more painful by movement is usually associated with the disease. Other symptoms can include general malaise and fatigue, and in its more advanced stages other systems of the body may be affected. There are specific blood tests to help identify Rheumatoid arthritis that can be easily run. Though, currently, there is no cure, in addition to medication and vitamin and diet therapy, treatment should include chiropractic manipulations to mobilize joints and help to relieve the pain and stiffness associated with this disease. Additional modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy, and massage may also be helpful. Your Chicago chiropractor is dedicated to helping individuals in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.

What options are there when aches and pains strike.

This varies on the severity of the pain, and where the pain occurs. If the pain is only a mild headache, toothache or a pain where you know the cause, such as a fall or graze, then an plain analgesic will normally suffice. in the case of toothache pain medication containing Ibuprofen is the correct choice, toothache can be accompanied by inflammation in the troubled area, Ibuprofen is an anti inflammatory and will therefore help to decrease inflammation.  If the pain continues you should get medical attention, because the pain could be the symptom of a more chronic medical problem. Pain is your body telling you that something is amiss, don’t ignore this message if pain is persistant.

There are two types of pain, acute and chronic pain. Acute pain is usually a pain that lasts for only a short time that recedes with no treatment, has no serious underlying medical problems associated with it and usually requires nothing more than simple over the counter pain medication. Chronic pain though is more serious, it usually persists and is often associated with a more serious underlying condition or injury. It can often start from something as simple as a sprain or infection that then becomes more serious, or it can be caused by a developing disease or cancer. Chronic pain can persist for many months, possibly even years. As well as a requirement to treat the underlying problem, pain killers stronger than over the counter pain killers is normally required.  Among the most common pain medications include tramadol, ultram and ultracet, with tramadol being the most popular. These pain medications are not scheduled as controlled substances, it is therefore possible to order tramadol online. In a lot of cases pain killers are prescribed with seperate treatments to treat the problem giving rise to the pain.

Possibly the commonest type of pain we all experience is a headache. Headaches may disappear without needing any treatment, normal pain relief medication will normally suffice to lessen the pain. Migraine is a more severe form of headache and can be caused by various underlying conditions. A migraine may be accompanied by other conditions, for example mood changes, light sensitivity, one sided headaches and nausea or vomiting. A migraine may only last for a few hours, but might continue for several days. Anyone experiencing a migraine should seek medical attention.

For pain that is associated with joints and muscles, physiotherapy is often used as a treatment, and in many cases can result in complete cure of the problem. Electrical stimulation is a technique used, sometimes as a last resort. Electrical stimulation interrupts pain signals in the spinal cord. Acupuncture may be used to reduce pain, fine needles are place at key points on the skin, these disturb the flow of spasms through the body. Needles may be used in areas far removed from the origin of the pain.

The main thing to observe, is that if pain becomes serious, in particular if it persists, get immediate medical attention, it could be down to a more serious underlying problem.

Disclaimer: This post is based upon information that is freely available in the popular media and medical publications that deal with the relief of pain. Nothing in this post is intended to be or should be construed to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice the viewer should consult with his/her physician or a medical specialist.