Living with Arthritis: Understanding the Condition and Finding Relief
Effectively manage arthritis and joint pain with expert chiropractic care at Prestige Health and Wellness, the top choice for arthritis treatment in Manhattan, NYC.
Is joint pain or stiffness interfering with your daily life? 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. is affected by arthritis, making it one of the most common causes of disability nationwide. In New York State, approximately 3.8 million people— 23.6% of adults—are living with this condition.
Arthritis is not one condition but a group of conditions that cause joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation, affecting people of all ages. With over 100 types, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, it’s a leading cause of mobility challenges.
While there’s currently no cure for arthritis, a combination of traditional medical treatments and holistic therapies can significantly reduce symptoms and enhance mobility. Let’s explore the different types of arthritis, their causes, and the many treatment options available.
Understanding Arthritis
Arthritis refers to joint inflammation, which occurs where two bones meet, such as in the hands, wrists, knees, or elbows. It affects the joints, surrounding tissues, and other connective tissues. Arthritis isn’t a single condition—there are many types, each with unique causes and treatments. In some cases, it can also impact other parts of the body, including the skin, eyes, and heart.
Common Symptoms
The most common signs of arthritis include:
- Pain in your joints
- Redness and warmth around the affected area
- Swelling and stiffness
Types of Arthritis
Arthritis is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that cause joint inflammation, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling. Below are some of the most common types:
- Osteoarthritis: The most widespread form of osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints breaks down over time, often due to aging or wear and tear. It primarily affects the knees, hips, and spine.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune condition, rheumatoid arthritis happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, resulting in inflammation, pain, and potential joint damage, typically in the hands and feet.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis: This form of arthritis primarily targets the spine and the ligaments surrounding it, causing pain, stiffness, and, in severe cases, the fusion of vertebrae.
- Gout: Gout is marked by sudden, intense joint pain, usually in the big toe or other lower body joints. A build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints causes it.
- Psoriatic Arthritis: Often linked to the skin condition psoriasis, this type of arthritis affects both the joints and areas where tendons and ligaments attach to bone, causing pain and swelling.
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: The most common form of arthritis in children, juvenile idiopathic arthritis can cause long-term joint issues if not properly managed.
- Reactive Arthritis: Triggered by an infection elsewhere in the body, reactive arthritis often resolves on its own within weeks or months but can still cause temporary pain and swelling.
Each type of arthritis has unique causes and symptoms, but the one thing they all share is the potential to cause significant discomfort and limit movement. Understanding the specific type is essential for developing an effective treatment plan.
Common Causes of Arthritis
- Aging: The wear and tear on joints over time can lead to the breakdown of cartilage, resulting in osteoarthritis.
- Genetics: A family history of arthritis can increase your risk of developing the condition.
- Injury or Trauma: Joint injuries, fractures, or dislocations can increase the risk of developing arthritis in the affected joints.
- Autoimmune Conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the joint lining.
- Overuse or Repetitive Movements: Repetitive strain on certain joints can accelerate cartilage wear, leading to arthritis.
- Obesity: Excess weight places additional stress on weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees, increasing the risk of arthritis.
Recognizing the Symptoms
- Joint Pain: Persistent or intermittent joint pain, especially after activity or rest.
- Stiffness: Reduced range of motion, particularly after waking up in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
- Swelling: Swelling around the joints due to inflammation or fluid build-up.
- Joint Deformity: The joints may become misshapen or deformed in advanced cases.
- Fatigue: In conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, fatigue is a common symptom due to ongoing inflammation.
Managing Arthritis Symptoms
Though there is no cure for arthritis, self-management can help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Effective strategies include:
- Staying Active: Moderate exercise, like walking or swimming, helps reduce stiffness, improve mood, and manage pain. Aim for 150 minutes per week.
- Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Reducing excess weight alleviates pressure on joints.
- Learning Arthritis-Specific Strategies: Educational programs teach techniques to better manage symptoms.
- Regular Medical Care: Partnering with healthcare providers helps monitor and adjust treatment as needed.
Medical Treatment for Arthritis at Prestige Health and Wellness
At Prestige Health and Wellness, we offer a comprehensive, holistic approach to managing arthritis. Our goal is to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and improve joint function, empowering you to live a more active and pain-free life. We combine traditional and alternative therapies to provide the most effective treatment options tailored to your specific needs.
Chiropractic Care
- Spinal Adjustments: Misalignments in the spine can place unnecessary pressure on affected joints. By correcting these misalignments, we help reduce pain and improve overall body mechanics, supporting better function and less discomfort.
- Joint Mobilization: Our gentle mobilization techniques help restore movement and flexibility to stiff joints, easing pain and improving range of motion.
- Manual therapies: Techniques like myofascial release target muscle tension and joint stiffness, offering significant pain relief and supporting improved joint function.
Physical Therapy Exercises
Our personalized physical therapy programs focus on improving strength, flexibility, and balance. By strengthening the muscles surrounding the affected joints, we help increase joint stability, which can alleviate arthritis-related pain and discomfort.
Complementary Therapies
- Massage Therapy: Our massage treatments are designed to reduce muscle tension and improve circulation. Massage therapy helps ease pain and promote relaxation in the affected areas.
- Ultrasound Therapy: This non-invasive treatment uses sound waves to alleviate pain and reduce swelling in joints and surrounding tissues, aiding recovery.
- Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Helps with pain management by stimulating muscles, improving muscle function, and relieving discomfort.
- Cold Laser Therapy: A treatment that uses low-level laser light to reduce pain and stimulate tissue healing.
- Acupuncture: This traditional treatment promotes natural healing by addressing pain and inflammation, offering a holistic approach to managing arthritis.
Don’t Let Arthritis Keep You From Living Life Fully
If you’re dealing with arthritis pain and stiffness, don’t wait to get the help you need. Schedule an appointment at one of our four NYC locations: Financial District, Hudson Yards, Chelsea, or Nomad.
Our expert team is ready to assess your condition and create a personalized treatment plan to manage symptoms and improve your joint function. Whether you need chiropractic care, physical therapy, or other non-surgical treatments, we’re here to help. Call us today at (917) 694-1565 or book your appointment online.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, March 22). Arthritis basics. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/index.html
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (n.d.). Arthritis. Retrieved from https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/arthritis
New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. (2021). Arthritis: New York State adults. Retrieved from https://yi.health.ny.gov/statistics/brfss/reports/docs/2023-01_brfss_arthritis.pdf
Sen, R., & Hurley, J. A. (2023, February 20). Osteoarthritis. In StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482326/
Senthelal, S., Li, J., & Ardeshirzadeh, S., et al. (2023, June 20). Arthritis. In StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518992/