By Compton Chiropractic Care –
Years ago, doctors hardly ever told arthritis patients to “go take a hike” or “go for a swim.” Arthritis was considered an in herent part of the aging process and a signal to a patient that it’s time to slow down. But not so anymore. Recent research and clinical findings show that there is much more to life for arthritis patients than the traditional recommendation of bed rest and drug therapy.
What Is Arthritis?
The word “arthritis” means “joint inflammation” and is often used in reference to rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic diseases include more than 100 conditions, including gout, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and many more. Although arthritis often begins in middle age and is more frequent in the older generation, it can also start at a young age.
Most forms of arthritis cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. Arthritis is highly individual. Some people suffer from mild arthritis that lasts from a few months to a few years and then goes away. Mild or moderate arthritis has periods of worsening symptoms (flares) and periods of remissions, when the patient feels better. People with severe arthritis feel pain most of the time. The pain lasts for many years and can cause serious joint damage and disability.
What Can a Doctor of Chiropractic Do?
Because arthritis is an all-encompassing term for several different conditions, a doctor of chiropractic must first confirm a proper diagnosis. In many cases patients will present with the most common form of arthritis (osteoarthritis). But other more severe forms of arthritis exist and can be ruled out by in office blood tests. Chiropractic doctors like our local Dr. Compton take the time to properly diagnose conditions. Once a diagnosis has been reached, treatment options are discussed. For example is a patient was suffering from osteoarthritis, treatment options would include: range of motion therapy, joint manipulations as needed to restore proper motion and function to joints, and nutritional recommendations.
If you suffer from arthritis, a doctor of chiropractic can help you:
• Restore the lost range of motion to your joints.
• Treat facet syndrome (common reason for neck and back pain due to arthritis)
• Improve your flexibility
• Increase your ability to play sports or perform daily activities
• Treat sciatica or disc related pain (usually complicated by arthritis)
• Recognize more severe disorders and seek proper care
Doctors of chiropractic can also give you nutrition/supplementation advice and exercises that can be helpful in controlling and reducing the effects of arthritis.
Should Arthritis Patients Exercise?
Exercise is critical in successful arthritis management. It helps maintain healthy and strong muscles, joint mobility, flexibility, endurance, and helps control weight. Rest, on the other hand, helps to decrease active joint inflammation, pain, and fatigue. For best results, arthritis patients need a good balance between the two: more rest during the active phase of arthritis, and more exercise during remission. During acute systematic flares or local joint flares, patients should put joints gently through their full range of motion once a day, with periods of rest. To see how much rest is best during flares, patients should talk to their health care providers.
The following exercises are most frequently recommended for patients with arthritis:*
If you experience any of the following, and want an alternative to drugs and surgery, then call today to schedule an appointment.
• Unusual or persistent fatigue
• Increased weakness
• Decreased range of motion
• Increased joint swelling or pain
• Pain that lasts more than one hour after
Nutrition for the Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient
Arthritis medications are helping patients but have limited success. For those who prefer an alternative approach, Chiropractic may provide complementary support. Some evidence shows that nutrition can play a role in controlling the inflammation, and possibly also in slowing the progression of some forms of arthritis. The doctors at Compton Chiropractic have been educated on nutritional treatments for various forms of arthritis.
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Why Dr. Compton:
Compton Chiropractic is a local office with two DC’s who are father and son. Dr. Brett Compton and Dr. Brent Compton work together and have been serving the villages and the surrounding community since 2006. They practice Chiropractic medicine that blends modern medical diagnostics with a gentle approach to the manipulation. Their office is located in the palm ridge plaza off county road 101 just one block behind bonefish grill. They accept all major insurances and are in network with most including Medicare. Call today to experience the difference of conservative pain relief given by board certified Doctors.
Compton Chiropractic Care
352-391-1126
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