Arthritis, also known as chronic joint inflammation, might affect the elderly the most, but it can also affect people of any age. There are many types of arthritis with many different causes. Arthritis also affects different parts of the body. With all of these differences, it’s no wonder there’s no 100% cure for arthritis. The good news is chiropractic treatment can help. This article looks at how a Seattle chiropractor can help you manage your arthritis.

What Is Arthritis?

When a joint becomes damaged, it develops arthritis. In addition to developing arthritis, a damaged joint can also negatively affect other areas and tissues of the body. The degenerative form of joint disease known as osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, but there are many others, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Even systematic lupus is a form of arthritis.

Causes Of Arthritis

Arthritis due to degenerative causes most commonly affects people age 50 and older. Younger people typically develop arthritis due to joint trauma, but can also suffer from some sort of abnormal anatomic condition like hip dysplasia or deformed joints that cause arthritis.

Other factors can contribute to developing arthritis, including poor nutrition, long periods of immobility, and lacking proper blood supply to the nerves. Autoimmune diseases where the body actually attacks itself can contribute to types of arthritis as well, including ankylosing spondylitis arthritis.

A viral or bacterial infection in a joint can lead to developing septic arthritis. A metabolic condition known as gout is also a form of arthritis because it causes uric acid crystals to deposit in the joints, which causes inflammation and joint dysfunction.

A Seattle Chiropractor Can Help

Although arthritis is a seriously debilitating and painful condition not helped very much by conventional medical treatments, chiropractic care can work wonders for people suffering with arthritis. For example, one of the most common conventional medical treatments for arthritis is taking anti-inflammatory drugs. However, these drugs can not only cause stomach upset and bleeding, but can also impair the healing of joint cartilage, which is necessary for healthy joint movement.

Seattle chiropractic care is a safe and natural arthritis treatment method. By using manipulations to ensure perfect alignment, the joints function optimally. This helps alleviate any grinding that can further damage the joint. The basis of chiropractic care is that a body in perfect alignment has the ability to heal itself. Just as a car with engine trouble won’t run optimally, a body that is out of alignment can’t function optimally.

In addition to spinal adjustments and joint manipulations, a Seattle chiropractor can also give you special exercises that will help your body stay in alignment by strengthening the muscles around the joints and can also teach you special stretching exercises that will help alleviate pain. Even nutritional counseling through your chiropractor can help as you discover foods that may trigger excessive inflammation in your body.

If you suffer from arthritis, don’t just learn to live with the pain, consult a chiropractor today.