Living With Arthritis

Written By: Dr. Sue Aery - Aery Chiropractic & Acupuncture | Issue: 2021/09 – September

Of all the conditions that I see in my practice, the most common has to be Arthritis! 

The questions go like this: Is arthritis normal? Is it because I am older? Do I need to have surgery? Why does it hurt more first thing in the morning?  and  What medication should I use?

These questions are all good ones and I try to answer each one and explain that arthritis comes in many forms.  

Osteoarthritis or OA is more a natural degenerative process that comes with aging, injury, and joint use. Over time, the joint slowly breaks down, causing the cartilage (the cushion) to degrade, making the joint more susceptible to abnormal movement and a build up of inflammation. 

Most of the time, it’s the inflammatory cells that actually cause the pain that you feel. Being inactive allows the inflammatory cells to pool and become congested within the joint, causing more and more discomfort and restricted motion. 

Other arthritic conditions include Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), an autoimmune process, where the body begins to attack itself, specifically the joint complex, leaving a severe inflammatory response in its wake. This condition can be extremely painful and is often accompanied by heat and redness, due to the inflammation. 

The common thread is the pain felt due to the inflammation. 

The main difference is the inflammatory component and source. 

OA can be addressed more easily by treatments and better biomechanics to protect the joint. 

RA needs more specific attention to diet, lifestyle, and monitored movement and exercise so as to not irritate the joint, especially when in a “flare up.”

Caution must be heeded during these phases. Better lifestyle and nutritional choices can significantly influence the frequency of the “flare ups.”

There are many non-surgical and non-medication approaches to reducing the inflammatory flood and reducing the pain that comes with arthritis. 

The reason that arthritis is worse in the morning is due to the lack of circulation during sleep. Once the joint gets moving and the blood begins to circulate, the pain usually begins to abate. 

Overuse can also bring on pain, so there is a gentle balance between too little and too much movement. 

Paying good attention to diet will certainly help the body deal with the inflammatory cells as well as keeping a healthy weight. Too much weight puts undue pressure on the joints, causing more rapid breakdown. Understanding how the body can naturally deal with excess inflammation is all part of our process of treating all arthritic conditions. Our joints are meant to move as designed, so it’s a good idea to find out if you are already moving abnormally. This biomechanical dilemma can be addressed and corrected to make your daily progress more effective and with less pain!

Reasonable movement, daily nutrition, and specific non-surgical treatments should give some relief to all arthritis conditions. 

 There are many things you can do at home but when you’re ready for help, seek out someone who is well-versed in all these areas.