Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition in which joints throughout the body are significantly impaired.
This devastating disorder is estimated to affect more than one million people in the U.S. and many more around the world. While there are many different treatments that can help with the symptoms of the disease, there are no cures available at this point.
However, chiropractic care is a risk-free, effective way to improve function and decrease pain in patients who suffer from RA.
The Different Types of Arthritis
In general, “arthritis” refers to a condition that irritates and inflames the joints of the body. However, there are many different types of arthritis. Some of the most common conditions that fall under the arthritis umbrella include osteoarthritis (OA), gouty arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Each of these conditions has a slightly different cause and will present with different symptoms. For instance, osteoarthritis is often caused by “wear and tear” on the joints. In other words, this issue develops from the misuse or overuse of the joints. Most people will experience osteoarthritis to some degree as they get older. Luckily, most people can simply modify their lifestyles, change their exercise habits, and implement other practices in order to mitigate OA.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is a very different condition.
Brief Overview of Rheumatoid Arthritis
As was stated in the introduction, RA is an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the joints of the body. In general, autoimmune conditions are those in which the body’s own immune processes inappropriately target healthy tissues as if they were diseased. It’s unclear exactly why this happens, but there are many different autoimmune conditions documented in the literature.
For RA specifically, the joints are slowly worn down by the immune system to the point where they are too painful and stiff to move at all. Patients with RA will often have fingers and wrists that are misshapen due to the disease process. Furthermore, they may have difficulty walking due to the effect the disorder has on the joints of their lower extremities, such as the knees and ankles.
Common Treatments for RA
To reiterate, there is no known cure for RA. However, there are plenty of palliative treatments and methods that can help these patients live normal lives.
Many times, the initial treatment for RA includes pain pills and anti-inflammatory medications. While these may be helpful and necessary for some patients, all medications come with side effects. Therefore, most clinicians are hesitant to prescribe RA medications for long-term use.
Along with medication, some doctors will recommend various surgeries for patients suffering from RA. This is especially true in the later stages of the disease when the joints have become nearly fused.
Otherwise, patients are often encouraged to develop better lifestyle habits. These usually include exercise and diet changes. Such lifestyle changes are critical for these patients so that they can remain strong, flexible, and functional for as long as possible.
One treatment option that is often overlooked, however, is chiropractic care.
Chiropractic Care and RA
Chiropractic treatments can help to loosen stiff joints and muscles. In turn, these effects will generally lead to decreased pain and better mobility.
Furthermore, spinal manipulations may improve the connections between joints/muscles and the spinal nerves. In doing so, the central nervous system will have a better means of communicating with the rest of the body, enabling it to heal.
If you or a loved one suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, come see us at Keystone Chiropractic. We are the best chiropractors in Plano, TX., and we would be thrilled to help you today. Book your appointment now!
