When we think about arthritis sufferers we get a mental picture of a older person crippled by the disease with gnarled fingers and perhaps walking in slow small steps. It might surprise you to know arthritis affects many people for years without them even being aware of it.
There are also many different kinds of arthritides such as Osteoarthritis, Juvenile and Rheumatoid. The most common type of arthritis is Osteoarthritis and it is claimed that almost everyone over 50 has a ‘touch’ of it. It can be benign but in some cases may cause great pain and some incapacitation. Osteoarthritis may be caused from excessive wear and tear on the joints. If the spine is unbalanced, the body tries to adjust and strengthen the area by building more bone. This results in ‘lipping’ and ‘spurring’ of the bone.
The most crippling of all the types of arthritis is Rheumatoid Arthritis. It really attacks the body’s joints and in its path it may also cause heart, lung muscles and other organ problems. It is a very mysterious disease in that it can appear suddenly without warning and then disappear just as suddenly in some people and not others. In those people it continues to affect it can destroy joints and other organs. Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect children also (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis). Growing research suggests it is caused by the malfunctioning of the immune system.
While chiropractic does not claim to be a treatment to cure arthritic conditions it may be beneficial in the relief and management of the condition using many of the techniques available for joint mobilisation along with stretching and exercise.