For decades, osteoarthritis has been considered a part of aging. But not anymore. Recent research points out that older people don’t have to suffer from osteoarthritic pain. And, surprisingly, people much younger than 65 can develop osteoarthritis. In my chiropractic office in Springfield, VA, I have had a patient who was in high school that showed the early signs of spinal arthritis. So why do some people develop arthritis very early in their lives and why do I have patients who are in the 80′s who have hardly any signs of arthritis? Let’s first look at what arthritis is, what are the symptoms are and the treatments available.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint disease, affects more than 20 million Americans and is more common in women than in men. The disease affects the cartilage—slippery tissue on the ends of bones that meet in a joint. Normally, cartilage helps bones glide over one another. In an OA patient, however, the cartilage is broken down and eventually wears away.
As a result, instead of gliding, bones rub against each other, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion. Although the majority of patients with OA are older, recent research shows that osteoarthritis is not a by-product of aging. Family history of OA, being overweight, lack of exercise, and prior joint injuries are suggested as OA risk factors.
How Is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?
OA is diagnosed through a combination of clinical history, patient examination, and x-rays.
The signs of OA include:
- Steady or intermittent joint pain
- Joint stiffness after sitting, sleeping, or otherwise not moving for a long time
- Swelling or tenderness in the joints
- A crunching feeling or the sound of bones rubbing against each other.
If you experience any of these signs, you should consult with a doctor of chiropractic. While the diagnosis is relatively easy to make, it is often harder to establish whether or not OA is truly what is causing the patient’s symptoms. Timely diagnosis and treatment can help manage pain, improve function, and slow the degeneration.
Should Osteoarthritis Patients Exercise?
Exercise is one of the best forms of OA treatment— and prevention. It strengthens the muscular support around the joints and improves and maintains joint mobility and function. In addition, exercise helps control weight and improves the patient’s mood and outlook— important factors influencing the severity of the symptoms.
If you suffer from OA, consider the following exercise tips:
- Low-impact or non-weight-bearing activities, such as walking, stationary training, and light weight training work best for OA patients.
- Use strengthening exercises if the key muscle groups that relate to the function of the joints are weakened by the degeneration.
- If you are overweight, start exercising carefully, so as not to put too much stress on the knee and ankle joints.
- Stair climbing, water aerobics, Theraband workouts, and similar exercises will help to keep the joints mobile without straining them.
- Learn to read the body’s signals and know when to stop, slow down, or rest.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
Doctors of chiropractic, by the nature of their training, can detect the earliest degenerative changes in the joints. They can see the impact of degenerative changes in the spine, as well as in the hips, knees, and other weight-bearing joints. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to relieve the pain and improve joint function through conservative treatments that include chiropractic adjustments, physiotherapy and rehabilitation exercises. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective treatment for arthritis pain relief. If you are currently suffering from painful arthritis give my office a call at (703) 912-7822 to stop living with pain and start living your life again.
