Do you suffer from joint pain due to osteoarthritis?

Do you ever experience joint pain and muscle stiffness? Or maybe you have trouble grasping objects, walking properly, bending your knees, or moving your neck and lower back? Have you ever been diagnosed with “arthritis” and then told to take a “magic pill” to help your joints, only to find little results? If it is indeed arthritis, how do you determine which type and what natural changes you can make to help improve how you feel? There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions, and each type has a variety of natural methods to help alleviate its secondary conditions, addressing its root cause as well as its primary condition. Let’s look at the most popular type, osteoarthritis, which is listed below:

Osteoarthritis – The most common type of all arthritis, osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease and affects 33 million Americans. It is purely structural in nature and can affect any bone in the body due to abnormal weight bearing. It usually affects a specific joint and is most often due to poor alignment of the spine or extremities. The cartilage between the joints wears away over time (much like the brake pads on your car lose cushioning with time and use), causing the bony surfaces to rub against each other. It is most common in the neck, lower back, and weight-bearing joints such as the hip, knee, and ankle. Also known as degenerative joint disease, it does not have a genetic basis. It is most likely caused by poor spinal structure, whiplash injuries, prolonged static positioning (sitting hunched over while working on the computer, driving, cell phone use), obesity, and years after a traumatic sports injury. Its pain pattern is best characterized as a sensation of stiffness and localized pain, often accompanied by crepitus, a popping or grinding noise. “Spur” or calcification of bone can also form due to unbalanced weight-bearing in a joint (such as driving a vehicle with a bent axle, causing the tire to spin abnormally and the tread to seize). wear unevenly).

Because osteoarthritis has a structural basis, a chiropractor who focuses on structural correction can help its root cause with work on the spine and extremities. This is done by gently snapping the joint into place. Gait and postural training, as well as spinal restorative corrective equipment, can slowly shift the spine from an abnormal structure to a more normal position. This, in turn, will help reduce further deterioration of the joints, help the muscles become more balanced, and help eliminate pain and stiffness. Once more mobility and less stiffness is achieved, it is important to maintain its integrity. Many people choose to adjust regularly to help prevent further deterioration. Like maintaining a heater or air conditioner to achieve optimal performance, it is necessary to protect the integrity and correctness of the spine.

Along with spinal correction by a structural based chiropractor, stretching is very important. Stretching helps to decrease tension in the muscles that would otherwise put more stress on a joint. It also helps with oxygenation and blood flow to the supporting cartilage and associated soft tissue surrounding the joint.

What, no time to stretch? Try to stretch for 10 minutes each morning, or better yet, while you shower. Yoga and swimming in a warm pool are excellent for people with arthritis, and are extremely beneficial when combined with chiropractic spinal correction. Obesity can cause joint degeneration to occur faster due to excess weight on the joints. Research shows that nearly 44% of adults with arthritis report no recreational physical activity compared to 36% of adults without arthritis. And older adults diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee who engage in moderate physical activity at least three times a week can further reduce their risk of disability from arthritis by nearly 50%. Even more worrisome is that more than half of Americans age 65 and older show evidence of joint degeneration on X-rays in at least one joint. It is anticipated that 70 million Americans will develop osteoarthritis in the next 15 years.

Nutritionally, anti-inflammatory foods are helpful, along with Omega-3 fish oils and glucosamine. Foods like pineapple, lemons, papayas, berries and ginger root, turmeric, green and white teas, kelp, broccoli, yams, shiitake mushrooms, and extra virgin olive oil are excellent natural anti-inflammatories. Glucosamine may aid in the repair of cartilage, muscles, and ligaments by aiding in the production of glycosaminoglycans, a necessary molecule used in the formation and repair of joint cartilage. Check with your doctor before considering.

There are several natural methods to treat osteoarthritis. Many smart people are looking for natural fixes to address the primary condition of osteoarthritis and not continue to “band-aid” their secondary conditions.