ARTHRITIS is, sadly, a very common and very painful condition. It can make working and even basic living extremely difficult. In order for treatment to prove effective in combating the symptoms and to allow the sufferer to live as normal a life as possible, you have to know more. The two most common types of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, are very ‘different in character’ and require completely different methods of diagnosis, as well as very different methods of treatment.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects as many as one in every hundred people. It is caused by a malfunction in the body’s defense systems, possibly from pinched nerves. The disease is not hereditary, no increased risk has been found if you have a sufferer in your immediate family. In rheumatoid arthritis extra blood flow causes joints to become swollen and painful and in extreme cases can even permanently damage the joint. It is essential to seek help to reduce inflammation, as the damage to joints is permanent and irreversible.

Osteoarthritis is a completely different condition, which affects the bones. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, there appears to be no genetic factor involved with osteoarthritis, although there are several factors that increase the risk of the condition developing. Osteoarthritis is rare in young people, suggesting that in certain cases it is wear on the bones that causes the disease to develop.

Misalignment over time can cause this condition. Overweight people are also far more susceptible to the condition, especially with the knee joints, which suggests that excess strain put on a moving joint area will be a major factor in bringing on the condition. ‘Stiff joints’ are the main symptom of osteoarthritis.

More and more people with arthritis are using chiropractic treatment to help with their arthritic condition. Chiropractic care is great for pain control and it also helps improve tissue, cells and organs in your body.

Mace Richter, Chiropractor, El Cajon, CA