Arthritis

Arthritis is a systematic disease that can affect the entire body. It is less of a joint disease and more of a whole body disease.  The most effective way to deal with arthritis is to deal with the real cause of the disease, treating the problem that is making the body function improperly, rather than focusing in the poor joints, as they are simply a pain caused by arthritis.

Types of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. Almost everyone over the age of 50 has some form of osteoarthritis. It may be symptomless or cause pain. The presence of this type of arthritis would indicate some type of body imbalance.  he bones begin to lipp and spur in effort to strengthen the areas that are in need.  Studies show that chiropractic can reverse some of the effects of osteoarthritis, which was previously thought to be impossible with any type of treatment. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a crippling condition.  It can deteriorate joints, affect the heart, blood vessels, lungs, eyes, skin, muscles and organs.  It is accompanied weight loss, fatigue and severe pain. There is no known cause for this type of arthritis, and it has been shown to appear and disappear suddenly in people from their 30’s up.  It is treated with drugs and hot water therapies, but there is no known cure.  Growing evidence reveals that it is an immune system based disease that causes the body to attack itself because of a malfunction.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is similar to rheumatoid arthritis, but is prevalent in children. Like its adult form, this disease appears and disappears, but the incidents of it going away suddenly are much higher, and the cases in which it causes severe disability are few. This type of arthritis is also linked to an immune system malfunction, and has recently been linked to childhood immunizations.

Ankylosing spondylitis or Marie Strumpell disease is a form of rheumatoid arthritis that usually affects the spine. A chiropractic study of a skeleton from this type of arthritis showed that there were misalignments of the spine that were preserved after death in the skeletal fused joints.

Gout is an arthritis that can spread to any of the joints, but is characterized by chemical crystals deposited in the large toe.

The Medical Approach to Arthritis

The medical approach to arthritis treatment focuses on drugs. It offers no cure, just a lifetime of prescription drugs and pain. 

Hot packs and some exercise are recommended at times, but in sever cases surgery is performed.  The drug treatment for arthritis consists of aspirin, which can cause stomach irritation, bleeding and ulcers because it requires eight to 24 tablets per day. 

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Indocin, Advil and Naprosyn may reduce stiffness and increase mobility, but can cause kidney disorders, irritation and hemorrhage of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and small intestine and cost four to five times more than aspirin.  Each year approximately 10,000 arthritis sufferers die from arthritic drug treatment related gastrointestinal complications.

Steroids such as Prednisone and Hydrocortisone Phosphate are used but can cause increased pain with prolonged use, weakening of the bones, and thinning of the blood. Gold salts are effective against inflammation, but can cause mouth ulcers and skin rashes.

The Chiropractic Approach

  Chiropractic is not a treatment for arthritis, but if you have arthritis you must have your spine examined by a chiropractor. Spinal nerve stresses damage the nervous system and can lead to disease of all kinds, including arthritis. Chiropractors locate and free the body from spinal nerve stress.

  Research shows that rheumatoid arthritis patients usually have severe spinal misalignment. It has also shown benefits to arthritis patient’s symptoms.