Saving Your Joints

Osteoarthritis affects 27 million Americans according to the Arthritis Foundation. Osteoarthritis is the most usual form of arthritis that affects wear and tear of the cartilage which lines the inside of the joints. Over a length of time it can end up with damage to the connective tissue and bone around the joint. The more knowledge you have about the condition the more success you will achieve for finding help to aide this condition.

Dr. David Wang, a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine in McLean, Virginia states arthritis pain most of the time is described as a throbbing joint or deep ache which is usually worse when you wake up in the morning.

There are numerous non-surgical treatments for those that endure arthritis.

Conventional medicine dictates the use of anti-inflammatories such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve and Tylenol to treat osteoarthritis. Narcotics have been prescribed at times and these include Codeine and Vicodin. Narcotics due carry side effects and can lead to addictions.

Alternative treatments are all natural and do not consist of medications and have been proven safe and effective alternative to drugs.

Diet and dietary supplements:

Certain supplements can alleviate inflammation. It is important to take the appropriate high amounts of vitamins E, C, D, minerals of zinc, magnesium, copper, omega 3 fatty acids which can be found in fish and oleic acid which can be found in extra virgin olive oil. Glucosamine and chondroitin have also been recommended.

It is wise to avoid processed foods which include refined sugars and starch, high amounts of fructose corn syrup, saturated fats and trans fats. All of these can produce chronic inflammation.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care can have positive results on osteoarthritis due to the fact one of the causes which contributes to osteoarthritis is abnormal wear and tear on the impaired joint. Chiropractic can aide in treating contributing factors. Chiropractic adjustments along with other therapies such as electric muscle stimulation. Chiropractors will also recommend stretches and exercises along with ways to protect your back.

Chiropractic aides osteoarthritis in numerous ways including restoring normal joint alignment. When the joint is in aligned it allows it to move properly. Chiropractic care can also decrease further wear and tear along with slowing down the degenerative process. Chiropractic care can also decrease pain and inflammation in the joints which will further decrease pain in the joints. Adjustments also increase movement of the joints and aides in improving joint stiffness and lack of motion.

Poor posture results in extra stress on the joints that will speed up the degenerative process. Chiropractic care can help correct your spine for good posture.

Acupuncture

In controlled randomized clinical trails during the last twenty years acupuncture has also been demonstrated to have effectiveness in reducing pain and improving functioning in patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis.

Sources:

Medical News Today

For A Healthy Future