Arthritis

Degeneration of your joints, whether spinal and pelvic joints are smaller joints of the extremities, like the hips or knees begins without you knowing because it happens slowly to all of us as we age.  This general wear and tear over a lifetime results in joints laying down extra areas of bone (like a callus) in an attempt to support damaged areas of the joint. Generally our bodies compensate for this and we feel no pain or symptoms up to a point.  However, when loss of movement begins to occur in a joint that additional wear and tear of the cartilage will start to cause discomfort, swelling and eventually day to day pain. It might come and go initially, but then becomes more constant.  When the spine is affected it may lead to back or neck pain and cause nerve irritation which could result in leg pain or sciatica (pain or pins and needles sensations, and numbness in the legs).  IF the neck is affected, one might begin to experience shoulder or arm pain or even pain and numbness in the hands or fingers.

Signs of hip arthritis and knee arthritis include an increasing level of pain in the hip area that may extend into the groin area, pain shooting down the thighs, and pain in the knee joints. It is not uncommon for the knees to be the first place the pain is felt, and some patients may not notice the hip pain until later. The pain often increases when the weather is colder, or when the patient is engaged in physical activity like jogging or walking.

Treatment

The symptoms of arthritis are commonly treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and nothing else.  This is a mistake.  These medications, in the long run, have been shown to impair the healing rate of cartilage and can also cause damage to the lining of the stomach and result in fatal stomach bleeds, particularly in the elderly. Even occasional use of these medications have been linked to liver problems and kidney damage.  They also do not stop the progression of the disease and patients can become dependent leading to rebound pain, addiction and a “need” for stronger and stronger medication.

Fortunately, there are better ways to manage osteoarthritis, and chiropractic treatment is considered by some people to be more effective in the long run.

Chiropractic cannot stop you from getting older, but it might stop you from feeling older!

It has been suggested that chiropractic can prevent further arthritic development and regular treatment can even prevent osteoarthritic changes occurring in the first place. All we know for sure is that many of our patients say that it helps them feel better, they are less dependent on medications and they are able to stay more active.

There is no real strong evidence that degeneration of your joints can be reversed by any means, but your chiropractor can help improve muscle and joint function and flexibility and therefore reduce the symptoms of arthritis. Along with chiropractic treatment, greater emphasis is now being placed on a controlled and regulated diet and supplementation to reduce joint inflammation and arthritic pain.

You can reduce your need to take anti-inflammatory medication, by seeking non-drug therapies such as:

• Chiropractic
• Acupuncture
• Physiotherapies
• Dietary changes geared toward reducing inflammation
• Herbal and Nutritional supplementation to support joint health and reduce inflammation

Many of our patients have been able to stop taking pain and arthritis medications all together.

With regard to the inflammatory arthridities, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), there is not a real cure for these conditions. Although, they have their natural peaks and troughs, the inflammatory process can be quite severe and it is therefore important to stick to your nutritional guidelines, continue to take supplements as recommended and follow through with all exercise and therapy recommendations to control it and to avoid joint destruction.

 

---

Check out what our patients have to say…

I have been a sports enthusiast all my life, so consequently along with a genetic predisposition to arthritis, I have had to deal with various body aches and pains. I tried prescription drugs, but became cautious when the drug I was taking was causing heart attacks! My wife, a patient at Dr. Hoch’s, knows how important staying active is for me. She suggested I Start at Natural Health and Wellness and under the impeccable care of Dr. Hoch, I agreed to a treatment plan that enabled my pain to be managed. 

As my treatment plan progressed, I became concerned about the extra weight I’ve gained over the years. I realized it was time to make a lifestyle changed when I was diagnosed a borderline type 2 diabetic! I began the Metabolic Weight Loss Program. Truthfully, I was a big guy! I was skeptical that a 500 calorie a day diet wasn’t going to be enough. But I’ve lost 40 Lbs and have not been hungry. My vitality level is so much better. I used to take a nap after a long golf game. Now I come home and stay active. The best part is by eliminating the sugar, and limiting carbohydrates, is that now my osteoarthritis is rarely painful.  I can walk while carrying my golf bag on the course and my outlook on everything is more positive.

I’m glad I’ve gotten involved. I recommend it to anyone else who’d like to lose weight and improve their LIFE. 

~R. V.