Arthritis affects the body’s joints, including the bone, muscle and surrounding soft tissues. The most common symptoms are joint pain, stiffness and reduced function, which can lead to disability and reduced quality of life. Arthritis is a common condition affecting 3.5 million Australians which is about 15 per cent of the population. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types.

The Role of Chiropractic

Chiropractic plays an important role in self-management of arthritis. As there is no cure, the aim of treatment is to manage pain, keep joints mobile and help people stay active and healthy.

Physical activity and exercise are the best treatment regardless of how severe arthritis is. Some people successfully manage their arthritis with exercise alone. Below are some different types of exercise a Chiropractor can prescribe:

Strengthening exercise involves using weights, resistance bands, or body weight to increase muscle strength.

Flexibility exercise involves stretches and gently moving the joint to reduce stiffness.

Aerobic exercise is any exercise that increases your heart rate and maintains general fitness and heart health.

Hydrotherapy is strengthening, aerobic and flexibility exercises completed in a pool, which is often heated.

As well as prescribing exercises your Chiropractor may also recommend treatment in the clinic which can also be very beneficial when it comes to managing arthritis. Approaches your Chiropractor may use are:

  • Joint adjustments and mobilization
  • Massage
  • Dry needling
  • Ultrasound
  • TENS
  • Taping
  • Bracing

 

Towards Wellness: DRINK WATER

If you haven’t got time for anything else in the morning, make time to drink a big glass of water. We lose a lot of oxygen through the night and to rejuvenate our cells, we need to supply them with water and oxygen. Drink a glass of water and within a week you’ll begin to feel less tired. If you don’t the taste of water, squeeze some fresh lime into your water to give it taste and drink up.

 

 

S-T-R-E-T-C-H of the Month: Psoas Stretch

Begin this leg stretch in the lunge position, with the leg to be stretched behind you. Keeping your back straight and buttock muscles contracted, gently lunge forwards until you feel a stretch in the front of your hip. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat 4 times at a mild to moderate stretch pain free. Then repeat on the other side.