What is Arthritis?
The term arthritis describes over 100 different types of inflammatory or degenerative diseases that damage the joints. In all its forms, arthritis is the most widespread crippling diseases in the United States. All forms of arthritis have, to a greater or lesser degree, the same initial symptoms: pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joint. In the cases of acute forms of Arthritis the synovial membranes thickens and fluid production decreases, leading to increased friction and pain. Chronic forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis.
The orthodox treatment of arthritis includes rest and exercise; heat; surgery, including the replacement of entire joints; rehabilitation, and the use of various drugs. Arthritis medications are primarily painkillers and anti-inflammatories. They do little do stop the progress of the disease and many of them have severe side effects.
Arthritis costs Americans in excess of $13 billion dollars per year. Nearly 40 million Americans have arthritis; over 16 million Americans have osteoarthritis with painful symptoms. One major age group affected by osteoarthritis is seniors over the age of 65. Arthritis medications are one of the pharmaceutical industry’s biggest and most lucrative products. In 1982, the Times estimated that prescription arthritis drugs would continue to increase at a phenomenal rate of 20% annually.
The Nature and Treatment of Arthritis
When joints function normally, movement is smooth and effortless. However, if any part of the joint becomes injured or damaged, ease of movement may be replaced by pain, swelling, stiffness and often disability and deformity. In osteoarthritis, the most prevalent form of arthritis, the cartilage may be worn and brittle so that it ceases to act as a shock absorber and fails to provide the cushion of support between two bones. In rheumatoid arthritis, another very common form on arthritis, the membrane that produces the synovial fluid becomes inflamed and extra fluid is leaked into the joint; the result is pain and swelling in the entire joint.
Typically, arthritis is diagnosed on the basis of a patient’s symptoms, which most commonly include pain and swelling in the joint areas or some limitation of movement. There are some diagnostic tests, and x-rays may show abnormalities in joints. However, the patient’s symptoms are the central factor in determining the diagnosis.
Because medical students have been taught that there is no cure for arthritis, as doctors they do not look for the cause of the disease rather focus on alleviating symptoms. This approach can be very dangerous because many of the drugs used to counteract pain and swelling; such as Aspirin, NSAIDs, and cortisone-derived drugs, have serious side effects; from ringing in the ears and dizziness to intestinal bleeding and kidney damage.
What Can Chiropractic Do?
Chiropractors by nature are neck and back specialists. Chiropractors are trained to examine and treat the spine with various conditions and diagnosis. Or in other words, SPINE EXPERTS! But more importantly, a good Chiropractor can detect and correct any spinal subluxation. What is a spinal subluxation? A subluxation happens when the joints of your spine does not move properly. This occurs when the spinal joints are out of there normal positions. This can be cause by numerous reasons. Anything from slips and falls to automotive accidents to sleeping wrong on the couch, can all cause spinal subluxations.
Your spine or vertebrae contains the spinal cord. This very important nerve is the main communication pathway for your nerves to impulse messages to and from your brain to every cell, tissue, organ in your body. Because the vertebra protects the spinal cord, any small changes in position can profoundly affect the nervous system. In turn, the subluxation can cause many underlying health problem. Spinal arthritis is one of those problems.
Arthritic Patients need to Exercise
People who are physically active are healthier and live longer than people who are inactive. This is true for everyone especially people who suffer from arthritis. Arthritis is one of the most common reasons people give for limiting activity, however people who are inactive may have increased arthritis problems. For the person with arthritis an appropriate exercise program is extremely important to be as healthy, capable and comfortable as possible.
Without exercise an arthritic joint may become increasingly stiff and painful as exercise increases the health of bones, joints and muscles. It is important to keep muscles as strong as possible because the stronger the muscle, the better it can protect and support tissues around the joint. Many people with arthritis tend to hold the joint at a constant, comfortable angle which can cause the joint to freeze in to that position. Exercise moves the joints and helps keep them as mobile as possible.
What types of exercise should people with Arthritis be doing?
- Flexibility or Stretching – Gentle low intensity exercises performed daily maintain and improve range of motion and are found to be the most therapeutic exercise programs.
- Muscle Conditioning – Usually performed every other day, these exercises are designed to work the muscle a bit harder than usual. Elastic bands, free weights or gravity resistance may be utilized.
- Aerobic Conditioning – These include activities which use larger muscles of the body in rhythmic and repetitive motions. These exercises improve heart, lung and muscle functions which promote weight control and healthy joint movement. 30 minutes 4-5 days a week is recommended for most arthritis sufferers.
Joint Supplements and Arthritis
Glucosamine is naturally present in the body and is one of the major building blocks utilized in the body’s synthesis of lubricants and shock-absorbing mechanisms necessary to maintain and restore healthy joint performance. It is a major component of joint cartilage. Glucosamine supplements are derived from the shells of shellfish such as shrimp, lobster and crab. The best way to take Glucosamine is to take 3 capsules per day (1.5 grams). Use for four weeks to experience optimal results.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is naturally found in fruits, vegetables, grains, animals and humans and helps reduce pain and inflammation. MSM is an organic sulfur compound. Sulfur is needed to form connective tissue. MSM also seems to act as an analgesic by lessening nerve impulses that transmit pain. Note: MSM may cause stomach upset or diarrhea. Don’t use MSM if you are taking blood thinners. MSM comes in tablets, liquid, capsule or powder, topical and oral dosages. Typically 1,000 mg to 3,000 mg daily are taken with meals.
Fish Oil is oil from cold-water fish such as mackerel, salmon, herring, tuna, halibut and cod. It helps reduce inflammation and morning stiffness. Fish oils treats Rheumatoid Arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, depression, and Raynaud’s phenomenon. Important for brain function, it may inhibit RA development. Fish oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation. Fish oil lowers blood triglyceride (fat that circulate in the blood stream) protecting against heart disease and reducing high blood pressure. Fish oil can be found in fish, capsules, or chewable tablets. For general health, two 3-ounce servings of fish a week are recommended. However, it’s difficult to get a therapeutic dose of fish oil from food alone. To treat arthritis-related conditions, use fish oil capsules with at least 30 percent EPA/DHA, the active ingredient. For lupus and psoriasis, 2g EPA/DHA three times a day. For Reynaud’s phenomenon, 1 g four times a day. For RA, up to 2.6g fish oil (1.6 g EPA) twice a day.
Tumeric is a yellow-colored powder ground from the roots of the lily-like turmeric plant. Turmeric plant grows in India and Indonesia and is related to the ginger family. Tumeric helps reduces pain, inflammation and stiffness related to RA and OA. Known as a cleansing agent, tumeric often is used as a digestive aid in India. Traditionally used in Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine to treat arthritis; the active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which is nontoxic. Several recent studies show that curcumin or turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and modifies immune system responses. A 2006 study showed turmeric was more effective at preventing joint inflammation than reducing joint inflammation. High doses of turmeric can act as a blood thinner and cause stomach upset. Do not take if you have gallstones or are taking blood-thinning medications. Tumeric is available in capsules or in its spice form. As a capsule, typically 400 mg to 600 mg three times per day; or 0.5 g to 1 g of powdered root up to 3 g per day is recommended.
Bromelain is found in pinapples. It is an enzyme that can break down protein. This enzyme claims to be able to decrease swelling, pain, and increase mobility in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients. We do know that this enzyme can and has a pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects like NSAIDS. A 2005 study done in Germany showed that bromelain activated immune cells that fight infection. Bromelain is available in capsules and tablet form; take 500 mg to 2,000 mg three times a day between meals. Bromelain can cause stomach upset and diarrhea and should be avoided if you are allergic to pineapples. It can also increase the effect of blood-thinning medicine.
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