Arthritis can mean several different things. The most common form, osteoarthritis, results from the breakdown of cartilage, a slippery substance that cushions and lubricates the bones where they form joints. At the Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, we have several safe, complementary means of providing patients with relief from this condition. Although osteoarthritis cannot be reversed, it can be managed.
It was formerly believed that osteoarthritis was purely the result of wear and tear to the joints over time. Recent evidence suggests that another factor is the body losing the ability to produce new collagen, which is the protein that comprises cartilage. As bones rub against each other, they may flake off, and the free-floating chips could trigger the body’s inflammatory response. But inflammation is not always triggered (the condition is sometimes called “degenerative joint disease”), and other possible consequences include the growth of bony spurs and painful stiffness.
People who are older are at greater risk for osteoarthritis, and joints that have previously been injured have a greater risk of developing it. Adjustments can help realign joints that are not currently inflamed. During outbreaks, our options for reducing inflammation include therapeutic ultrasound, electric muscle stimulation, and low level laser therapy. Therapeutic exercise can also keep the muscles surrounding arthritis joints strong and flexible, helping them to retain their shape and relieving cartilage from stress.
Dr. James Huggins runs the Carolina Chiropractic Center at 1627 Suite C, South Irby, Florence, South Carolina, 29505. To set up an appointment, call 843-665-9192 or visit Carolina Chiro Center and fill out a contact form.
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