If you live with the pain and stiffness of arthritis, you know firsthand that the disease can negatively impact your quality of life. You may try to get through the day with the help of over-the-counter or prescription medications, and they may work to some extent. But these medications are also known to come with some not-so-nice side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anemia, headache, and edema (swelling).

When it comes to safe and effective treatments for arthritis pain and stiffness, many people overlook chiropractic care. They assume chiropractic is just for people with stiff backs and necks. And while chiropractors do see a lot of people with stiff neck and back issues, they are really primary care professionals who treat the entire person.

How Can Chiropractic Help Arthritis Pain and Stiffness?

It’s important to understand that chiropractic care goes far beyond spinal adjustments. In fact, there are over 150 techniques that chiropractors use to help their patients feel relief from injuries and arthritis pain and stiffness. 

Chiropractors focus on the relationships between structure and function, and treatment plans are developed around a person’s specific needs and issues. So, while a 20-year-old football player may benefit from a more aggressive spinal adjustment, a 60-year-old woman suffering from arthritis may be best served by having a chiropractor gently manipulate her soft tissue to stop muscle spasms and give her immediate relief. She may also be guided through a series of exercises that slowly stretch her joints and increase her range of motion.

There are other therapies that are often used to help arthritis patients reduce their joint pain and stiffness:

• Ultrasound – Beyond imaging technology, ultrasound can loosen tissues and joints, reducing swelling, pain, and stiffness.
• Electrotherapy – Tiny electric pulses stimulate a patient’s muscles to help them loosen so they stop pulling on joints.
• “Cold Laser” Therapy – A laser that does not produce any heat is used to penetrate deep into the tissue, reducing inflammation. 
• Infrared sauna –These saunas are much better at controlling the amount of heat used than traditional saunas. Spending just 20 minutes inside can relieve pain and increase circulation. 

These are just some of the treatments that chiropractors can offer those suffering from joint pain and stiffness caused by arthritis. If you would like to explore chiropractic for your arthritis, we encourage you to find a licensed chiropractor in your area to get a free evaluation. And if you live in the area, give us a call or stop by to schedule one today!

 

SOURCES:

• https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/complementary-therapies/physical-therapies/chiropractic-care-for-arthritis
• https://www.thejoint.com/chiropractic-and-arthritis

Many of us have found ourselves working from home because of the coronavirus. And while the country has slowly begun to open back up, threats of a “second wave” have emerged, which means a majority of us could be working from home for the foreseeable future.

Working from home may be helping us all save on gas expenses, but it sure is putting a crimp in many backs and necks! That’s because many people working from home did not have a dedicated home office to begin with. And so we find ourselves working in less than ideal ergonomic situations as we work on sofas, bookshelves and on top of our beds.

With this in mind, here are some ergonomic tips to help your body feel more comfortable working from home:

Use a Separate Monitor

Looking down all day at your laptop screen can really hurt your neck. You ideally want to be looking straight ahead. If you have a desktop home computer, use this instead of your laptop as it will help you look straight ahead while working. If you don’t, consider getting a monitor that you can attach to your laptop so you can keep your head elevated.

External Keyboards and Mouse

If another larger monitor is not within your budget, consider getting an external wireless keyboard and mouse. This will allow you to use your laptop as a monitor and raise it using a laptop riser or stack of books while you type and control the screen separately.

Invest in a Better Chair

You ideally want a chair that offers cushioning and is height adjustable. Keep in mind you get what you pay for. While not everyone can afford a $1600 Aeron chair, suitable ones can be purchased for $200 – $300. Also, keep in mind that work-related chairs and desks are tax-deductible.

Move Your Body

Your body shouldn’t be seated all day long. It’s important to get up every half hour and move around. Do some stretching and take some nice deep breaths. If you get easily caught up in your work, then use an app reminder such as UP or Stand Up.

Visit a Chiropractor

If, after following these guidelines, your body still feels sore, it may be time to visit your local chiropractor. They will be able to tailor a program to deal with your specific physical issues.

If you are in the area and would like to work with a chiropractor to get your body feeling better, give us a call or stop by our office. We can tailor a treatment plan for your specific needs.

 

SOURCES:

• https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-04-02/stiff-and-sore-due-to-wfh-an-ergonomics-expert-offers-tips-on-staying-healthy-while-sheltering-in-place
• https://viewpoint.libertymutualgroup.com/article/working-from-home-ergonomic-checklist/