Arthritis is a condition involving inflammation in your joints, the connections between bones that allow us to move, like our knees, hips, fingers, and even our spine. When someone has arthritis, these joints become inflamed, leading to pain, stiffness, and sometimes swelling.
While arthritis is often associated with getting older, it can affect people of all ages, significantly impacting their quality of life and mobility. Understanding arthritis is crucial so that you can take steps to prevent or manage it effectively keeping your joints healthy for years to come.
Let’s explore the causes of arthritis, how it affects the body, and discuss natural approaches to maintaining joint health.
Root Causes of Arthritis from a Holistic Perspective
There are approximately 100 different types of arthritis that are caused by different factors, and affect the body in various ways. Here are three of them:
Osteoarthritis is the most common form, and happens when there is degeneration and the protective cartilage in joints is worn down.
Joint alignment and poor posture can increase the wear and tear on joints and increase the risk of degeneration and osteoarthritis. Misalignments can put pressure on the nerves reduce nerve flow and interfere with the function and movement of joints.
The nervous system’s role in joint health is often overlooked. Our nervous system controls every function in our body, including the health and function of our joints. Interference in the nervous system, usually caused by spinal misalignments, can disrupt the body’s ability to maintain and repair joint tissues effectively.
Sedentary lifestyles can also put more stress on some joints while neglecting to move others. Motion is lotion to our joints, pumping nutrition into the tissues of the joint space.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks the joints. While the cause of RA isn’t known, Mayo Clinic says a genetic component is likely.
Chronic stress can lead to increased inflammation throughout the body, including in the joints. It can also cause muscle tension that alters your posture and movement patterns, further stressing your joints.
Gout causes sudden, severe pain in joints due to a buildup of uric acid crystals, and is caused by an overly rich diet.
Diet may not be your first thought when thinking about keeping your joints healthy. However. Highly processed foods and inflammatory ingredients can contribute to systemic inflammation, affecting your joints. Toxins and malnutrition reduce the body’s ability to repair and maintain joint tissues.
Our team at Barham Chiropractic includes multiple fields of health and wellness, including chiropractic, massage, and nutrition counseling so that we can get to the root cause and help you feel great and function well.
Holistic Understanding of Joint Health and Arthritis
At our Sacramento office, our team doesn’t suggest therapies or medication that mask or suppress symptoms for short-term relief. We view symptoms as messages from your body that point us to the root cause of conditions like arthritis.
Joint pain and stiffness from arthritis are your body’s way of alerting you to an imbalance that needs attention. It could mean a segment of your spine or a specific joint needs attention, or it could be pointing to chronic inflammation.
If you have joint pain in both sides of your body, such as both elbows or wrists, it could indicate nerve compression in the neck or rheumatoid arthritis. Pain that moves from joint to joint could suggest an inflammatory response.
As holistic healthcare providers, we love to teach patients about the body’s innate capacity for joint repair and maintenance. Your brains are constantly sending out instructions for healing.
When your brain-body connection is clear, and the nervous system is functioning well, the nervous system carries these messages and orchestrates the complex process of inflammation, repair, and maintenance in our joints.
Natural Approaches to Joint Health and Arthritis Prevention and Maintenance
It’s better to be proactive and care for our joints from a young age. If you are already struggling with joint degeneration or inflammation, it’s important to start now.
Chiropractic – Specific adjustments both to the spine and extremities, can help improve overall body function and ensure proper joint alignment. These adjustments not only address current alignment issues but can also prevent future problems by maintaining optimal biomechanics.
Chiropractic also identifies where misalignments are interfering with the nervous system and reducing its ability to manage the healing process.
Maintaining nervous system health is crucial for optimal joint function in the long term. Regular chiropractic check-ups can help ensure that your nervous system is functioning at its best, supporting not just your joints but your overall health.
Soft tissue techniques – We may recommend that you get a massage or myofascial release to enhance circulation to the joints and surrounding tissues, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
Nutrition and Supplements – We would also recommend anti-inflammatory nutrition strategies such as increasing consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and flaxseeds, and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. You should also consider reducing your intake of processed foods, sugars, and inflammatory oils.
Exercise – Once your joints are in alignment, joint-friendly, low-impact activities are extremely beneficial. Swimming, cycling, tai chi, or yoga are all great options to help maintain joint mobility without putting excessive stress on the joints. Strength training can also help support the joints by building up the surrounding muscles.
Stress – Systemic inflammation is often made worse by stress! When your nervous system is clear of subluxations, it’s better able to adapt to stressors. Stress management and emotional well-being practices like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga can help reduce overall inflammation in the body and promote a sense of well-being that supports healing.
Remember, holistic lifestyle choices that support joint health go beyond a brief chiropractic care plan, or a handful of supplements. We encourage our patients to evaluate all aspects of life, from ensuring quality sleep to getting daily movement in whatever activities they enjoy.
From our years in practice and current research, we’d say that the best methods of arthritis prevention and management addressing root causes, listening to our body’s signals, supporting our innate healing abilities, and making conscious lifestyle choices.
If you’re in the Sacramento area, reach out if we can support you in nurturing your joint health and maintaining mobility and comfort throughout your lives. Our team’s approach not only helps manage existing arthritis but can also prevent its onset or progression, empowering our patients to take an active role in their joint health and overall well-being.
Why Choose Us for Arthritis Treatment in Sacramento?
Since 1992, Barham Chiropractic has been home to the best chiropractors in Sacramento. Our family's clinic is committed to providing you with exceptional arthritis care!
Serving Sacramento since 1990
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