What is arthritis?
Arthritis is not just one disease. It’s a term that refers to many types of joint pain and joint disease. In all, over 100 different forms of arthritis or related conditions exist. Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States and affects men and women alike, as well as people of all ages and races. Your risk increases as you get older and more women get arthritis than men.
Some different types of arthritis include:
Degenerative arthritis
As you get older, the strength of your joints deteriorates and chronic pain can occur. You might be at risk if you put on excess weight, this type of arthritis runs in your family, or you've suffered a serious injury like an ACL tear.
Inflammatory arthritis
When your immune system mistakenly attacks your joints, you end up with inflammatory arthritis, which results in joint erosion and damage to internal organs.
Infectious arthritis
With infectious arthritis, bacteria, a virus, or fungus may enter the joints, causing inflammation.
Metabolic arthritis
This form of arthritis is the result of overproduction of acid in the body that forms into needle-shaped crystals that cause joint pain.
How is arthritis diagnosed?
To properly diagnose arthritis, Dr. Allam relies on a three-pronged approach:
- Examining your medical and family history
- Completing a physical examination
- Utilizing diagnostic imaging tests
He inquires about your symptoms, recent and past health, lifestyle, and family history. He also performs a thorough joint evaluation, checking for joint stiffness and swelling. Lastly, Dr. Allam may opt for X-rays, which is the most effective method to view the joints and check for issues such as structural changes, joint erosion, soft tissue tears, and inflammation. At the offices of Craig Ranch Chiropractic, Dr. Allam uses X-ray procedures that minimize the amount of radiation you are exposed to, ensuring that the imaging test procedures are safe.
How is arthritis treated?
Dr. Allam offers individualized non-spinal adjustments that target joint pain, restoring and enhancing your overall joint and extremity function. Adjustments can also minimize the wear and tear your joints already incur. Therapeutic stretching and exercise can offer additional joint pain relief.
Since arthritis is often a result of lifestyle choices, Dr. Allam might recommend diet and nutritional counseling and lifestyle modification counseling. The supportive counseling team at Craig Ranch Chiropractic can help you make necessary changes to your diet, your exercise regimen, and other lifestyle habits that could be contributing to the onset of your arthritic condition.
How do I prevent arthritis?
The more than 100 types of arthritis have different risk factors and features. You can’t modify all of the risk factors. For example, if you’re a woman with a genetic history of arthritis, you’re at risk. However, you can reduce your risk of certain types of arthritis by taking steps to improve your lifestyle, including:
- Maintaining a healthy, manageable weight
- Avoiding smoking tobacco
- Eating a healthy diet that’s low in alcohol and sugar
- Avoiding serious sports injuries with proper training and by using the right equipment
