Arthritic Pain – Effectively Treated with Chiropractic Care

Sufferers of arthritis will know all too well the unbearable joint pain and stiffness that makes day-to-day life nearly impossible. Treatment for these individuals commonly involves prescriptions for highly addictive painkillers due to the limited effective treatment options. However, in a time where Australia is suffering from an opioid epidemic and more people are being diagnosed with arthritis due to ageing and lifestyle, chiropractic care may provide a win-win solution for both of these problems.

Arthritic Pain Research

First appearing in the 1990s, but making a resurgence this decade, research on the effectiveness of chiropractic care for arthritic pain management shows promising findings for sufferers. The United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found in a 2010 report that spinal manipulation is as effective as medication for lower back pain. Even more damning are the findings in a 2010 systematic review of randomised controlled trials that chiropractic manipulation benefited acute and chronic lower back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis in the knees. But wait! There’s more! A 2013 study published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage revealed that ongoing chiropractic treatment in hip osteoarthritis sufferers was more effective for pain management than a daily stretching program.

Who are the arthritis sufferers that will benefit?

Unfortunately, not all types of arthritis are created equally. Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints which makes chiropractic adjustments dangerous if there is active swelling. Osteoarthritis sufferers are the best candidates for chiropractic manipulation. Rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis sufferers have also been shown to respond well to the treatment given that inflammation is under control.

How long until I can expect results?

Although it sounds cliché, the receptiveness to treatment is dependent on the individual and the severity of their arthritis, however, an article by Arthritis Foundation cited Dr. Boesch – who works with geriatric patients seeking chiropractic treatment – as saying significant relief had been achieved in approximately five consultations.

If you are over the pain and looking for a more holistic approach to treating arthritis you can book online today or find out more about the costs of a consultation and begin the journey to taking back control of your day-to-day life!

Photo: A Ring by salihigde licensed under Creative commons 5