Not too long ago, arthritis was deemed to be just another facet of the aging process – something that is inevitable as you grow older. Once arthritis was diagnosed, patients were advised to slow down, rest and take drugs to alleviate the symptoms. Thankfully, this is no longer the case. Recent findings have added a wealth of new evidence to question the treatment of arthritis.

Arthritis is defined as an inflammation of the joints, and is commonly used to refer to rheumatic diseases. Diseases of a rheumatic nature consist of more than 100 conditions. Among them are psoriasis arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout. One of these conditions is rheumatoid arthritis, which affects about 2 million people in the US. Even though rheumatoid arthritis typically starts either in one’s middle age or, more frequently, in one’s later years, some patients experience symptoms much earlier.

Those afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis experience joint swelling, pain, stiffness, and, in more severe cases, loss of function. The following symptoms categorize rheumatoid arthritis. Most often the wrist and finger joints that are closest to the hand are affected as well as the shoulder, hip, knee, elbow, ankle, neck, and feet. Symptoms can progressively spread to other parts of the body, not just the joints, and can last for years.

Your chiropractor can help your body move with more ease and comfort. Chiropractic care focuses on physical manipulation and alignment, so joints can benefit from reduced stiffness and increased ranges of motion. Along with the adjustments, continued stretching and exercises will help stimulate overall joint flexibility. Such exercises include: walking, swimming, biking, and mild weight lifting.

In order to ameliorate symptoms, arthritic patients can greatly benefit from chiropractic manipulation and regular exercise. Chiropractic manipulations promote movement and flexibility while exercise promotes strong muscles and endurance. However, rest helps to lessen active joint inflammation, fatigue, and pain. Make sure you consult with a well trained chiropractic doctor so he/she can tailor the right exercise program for your needs.

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