Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Arthritis in Te Puke

What is arthritis in Te Puke? The word “arthritis” means “joint inflammation” and is often used in reference to rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic diseases include more than 100 conditions, including gout, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and many more. Rheumatoid arthritis is also a rheumatic disease, affecting about 1 percent of the Canadian population. I believe it is imperative to understand that ARTHRITIS DOES NOT EQUAL OLD AGE. If that was the case, every 70 year old would have the same looking spine and that is definitely not true. Also, if arthritis was equal to age, then the entire spine would always have the same amount of arthritis or wear and tear since it’s all the same age. Again, not true.

Some of the characteristics of arthritis are:

• Arthritis causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. Several features distinguish it from other kinds of arthritis:
• Tender, warm, and swollen joints
• Fatigue, sometimes fever, and a general sense of not feeling well.
• Pain and stiffness lasts for more than 30 minutes after a long rest.
• The condition is symmetrical. If one hand is affected, the other one is, too.
• The wrist and finger joints closest to the hand are most frequently affected. Neck, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, ankle, and feet joints can also be affected.
• The disease can last for years and can affect other parts of the body, not only the joints.

Should Arthritis Patients Exercise in Te Puke?

Exercise is critical in successful arthritis management. It helps maintain healthy and strong muscles, joint mobility, flexibility, endurance, and helps control weight. Rest, on the other hand, helps to decrease active joint inflammation, pain, and fatigue. For best results, arthritis patients need a good balance between the two: more rest during the active phase of arthritis, and more exercise during remission.

Nutrition for the Arthritis Patient

Arthritis medications help suppress the immune system and slow the progression of the disease. But for those who prefer an alternative approach, nutrition may provide complementary support. Evidence shows that nutrition can play a role in controlling the inflammation, and possibly also in slowing the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

Some foods and nutritional supplements can be helpful in managing arthritis:

• Fatty-acid supplements: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and gamma linolenic acid (GLA). Several studies point to the effectiveness of these fatty acid supplements in reducing joint pain and swelling, and lessening reliance on corticosteroids.4,5
• Deep-sea fish, such as salmon, tuna, herring, and halibut, are sources of EPA and DHA. GLA is found in very few food sources, such as black currants and borage seed.
• Turmeric, a spice that’s used to make curry dishes, may also be helpful. A 95 percent curcuminoid extract has been shown to significantly inhibit the inflammatory cascade and provide relief of joint inflammation and pain.
• Ginger extract has been shown to be beneficial in terms of inflammation.
• Nettle leaf extract may inhibit some inflammatory pathways.

A vegetarian or low-allergen diet can help with the management of rheumatoid arthritis as well.

The benefits and risks of most of these agents are being researched. Before taking any dietary supplement, especially if you are using medication to control your condition, consult with your health care provider.

What Can Your Doctor of Chiropractic Do?

If you suffer from arthritis, at Te Puke Chiropractic we can help you plan an individualized exercise program that will:

• Help you restore the lost range of motion to your joints.
• Improve your flexibility and endurance.
• Increase your muscle tone and strength.
• Allow your body to work the way it was designed by taking pressure off misaligned joints

We have literally seen and helped thousands of people who are suffering from arthritis benefit from our specific and gentle approach to the spine. Chiropractic care is safe, effective, and long lasting.

For the majority of people, young and old, checked in our clinic, there has either been a significant overall improvement in their health or it has completely solved the problem they presented with. If you or someone you know is suffering call us at (07) 573 9988 for a complimentary consultation and to set up a time to have your spine and nervous system checked.

Dr. David Guest is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Mount Maunganui and Te Puke Chiropractic in the Bay of Plenty. Dr. Guest focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 19 years. He loves helping spines of all sizes and shapes. You can reach Dr. Guest at david@mtchiro.co.nz or (07) 573 9988.