Joints are important musculoskeletal structures that connect bones to one another.
Some facilitate different types of movement while others remain fixed. Joint pain is
a very common and often debilitating problem with around one-third of all adults
experiencing it at some point during their lifetime. Fortunately, there are
treatments that can help and one of the most effective is chiropractic
care.
Here’s what you need to know about joint pain and how chiropractic care
can help relieve discomfort.
There are many different things that can cause joint pain. The most common is a
condition called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage
that usually protects the ends of bones begins to deteriorate, causing them to rub
against one another. This friction causes pain, swelling, and problems moving the
joint.
Other potential causes of joint pain include but are not limited to:
Gout
Bursitis
Inflammation of the joint lining
Damage to the cartilage at the back of the kneecap
Bleeding into the joint space
A fracture to the bones of the joint
Other types of arthritis such as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis
Your chiropractor will be able to assess your condition to determine the cause of your joint pain and recommend chiropractic techniques to help ease your discomfort.
Joint pain is just one of the symptoms that you might experience due to the underlying cause of your discomfort. Some of the others can include:
Joint stiffness
Joint warmth
Limping
Loss of range of motion in the joint
Weakness
Chiropractic treatment is a popular alternative to conventional medicine when it
comes to treating the many causes of joint pain. It can also be used alongside
medications and other conventional treatments.
Chiropractic care focuses on
eliminating misalignments in the spine and joints so that there is less pressure on
the spinal cord and central nervous system. This allows all bodily systems to
function optimally and boost circulation, enabling blood and nutrients to be
delivered to the areas of the body that require healing. A reduction in inflammation
helps to counteract spinal and joint motion problems, easing movement and reducing
the pain that you might be experiencing, without the need for pain
medications.
Chiropractors can also help address other factors that could be
contributing to your joint pain, such as poor posture or sleep position, or not
warming up or cooling down properly when exercising.
Chiropractic treatment
plans are personalized and tailored to the needs of each individual. This means that
the precise techniques used, frequency of appointments, and overall the care you are
given will vary depending on the extent of your joint problem.