Arthritis Specialist

What is arthritis?

Arthritis isn’t a single disease. In fact, it’s a collection of diseases that occur when the joints become inflamed, stiff, and painful.

Several different types of arthritis exist. However, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

What causes arthritis?

Osteoarthritis occurs because of the normal wear and tear on your joints over time. This chronic damage affects the cartilage, which is the coating found on the end of your bones. When this cartilage breaks down, your bones grind against each other with movement, which leads to the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks your synovial membranes, which are tough membranes that protect parts of a joint. When these membranes become inflamed, you experience arthritis symptoms.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

Whether you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, you experience similar symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of arthritis may include:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Redness
• Swelling
• Restricted movement

These symptoms may affect only one joint, or they may affect multiple joints.

How does South Shore Chiropractic treat patients with arthritis?

If you have arthritis, South Shore Chiropractic may recommend a combination of treatments to improve your condition. The goal of treatment isn’t only to relieve pain and other symptoms, but also to improve your range of motion and the stability of your joints. Some of the treatments that may be beneficial if you have arthritis include:

• Massage therapy - Massage therapy loosens stiff muscles located near affected joints, leading to pain relief and better mobility.
• Chiropractic adjustments - Chiropractic adjustments remove irritation from nerves that may exacerbate arthritis pain. This treatment also improves communication between your nerves and tissues.
• Ultrasound therapy - Ultrasound therapy may reduce pain and inflammation, leading to fewer arthritis symptoms.
• Electrical muscle stimulation - Electrical muscle stimulation improves muscle function and alleviates pain in patients with arthritis.

The exact combination of treatments recommended depends on the type of arthritis you have, the severity of your pain, and other factors. All treatment plans at South Shore Chiropractic are customized to meet the needs of the patient.