Arthritis + Osteoarthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is the swelling and resulting stiffness, tenderness, and pain in one of your joints. About 54 million Americans or 23% of all adults have arthritis. According to the CDC, it is the leading cause of work disability. The most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. It is a chronic degenerative disease that affects mostly middle-aged and older adults. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage. It usually affects your hands, knees, hips, and spine, although it can occur in any joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis, often shortened to “RA,” is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks your own joints. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joint linings first causing painful swelling. Over time, the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis can cause bone erosion and joint deformity.

Physical therapy and medication can especially help slow the progress of arthritis.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?

The most common symptom of arthritis is pain, especially after overuse or prolonged lack of use of a joint.

Each individual experiences arthritis symptoms differently but symptoms often include:

• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Decreased Range of Motion

Symptoms usually develop slowly over many years. After some time with arthritis, you may also feel the sensation of grinding in a joint when you move it.

The symptoms of arthritis may resemble other medical conditions such as fibromyalgia, spondylitis, gout, lupus, and more. Consult with your physician for a diagnosis.

What treatments does BackFit offer?

Specific treatment will be determined by your BackFit Health + Spine Medical Doctors, Chiropractors, and Physical Therapists here based on:

• Age
• Medical History
• Overall Health
• Type of Arthritis
• Extent of the Disease

There are many effective treatments for arthritis. Your treatment plan will be custom to you. Chiropractic care is a safe therapy for osteoarthritis, but it is not appropriate on all joints for all patients with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis.

Physical therapy and massage therapy are commonly prescribed. Electrotherapy can also be helpful, such as TENS and PENS therapy.

In whatever joint or joints you’re experiencing arthritis, we can provide the following to reduce pain:

• Diagnostic Imaging
• Chiropractic Adjustments As Appropriate
• Custom Physical Therapy Program
• Customized Support Braces
• Natural Pain Relieving Medication
• Nutritional Joint Supplementation
• Topical Analgesics For Pain Relief
• Trigger Point Injections (Ultrasound Assisted)

If your knees are specifically affected by osteoarthritis, we also offer FDA-approved hyaluronic acid injections. This substance is naturally produced by the body, but extra soothes pain and provides lubrication to the joint.

And of course, we will also always take your needs and feedback into account. Your tolerance to medication, procedures, and therapies matters.