Arthritis pain management in Singapore
Arthritis is common, but not very well understood. A common misconception about arthritis is that it is an “old age” disease that only affects the elderly due to wear and tear of joints.
Arthritis essentially means joint inflammation, and is a very broad term describing more than 200 conditions that affects the joint, tissues surrounding the joint, and other connective tissues.
What causes arthritis?
The two common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage joint surface wears out and this typically begins in an isolated joint. Normal wear and tear is the usually suspect for osteoarthritis, but genetic causes can also increase the risk for this. An injury to the joint can also expedite natural breakdown of the cartilage.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease when your immune system attacks the synovium (the lining of the membranes that surrounds joints). It typically targets several joints at one time. Unfortunately, the exact cause of the autoimmune disease is unknown.
For chiropractors, another common type of arthritis we address is ankylosing spondylitis, which is a type of spondylarthritis that causes pain and swelling around joints of the spine.
Do I have arthritis?
In general, common symptoms of arthritis include
Stiffness
This is a classic symptom of arthritis that most relate to.
Pain
Pain from arthritis can be intermittent or constant.
Swelling
Arthritis may cause the area over the affected joint to be swollen or feel warm to the touch. Bumps which form over elbows, knuckles and finger joints are common signs of rheumatoid arthritis.
Difficulty moving joints
A sharp pain may be experienced when performing certain movements, like getting out of your chair.
While these are common signs, these symptoms are not unique to arthritis. It is important to seek a healthcare professional if you have been experiencing the above symptoms for a prolonged period.
Can arthritis be cured permanently?
Unfortunately, arthritis cannot be reversed or be cured permanently. Early detection and treatment are thus very important to prevent further degeneration.
Most approaches seek to treat and alleviate symptoms, rather than cure arthritis.
Can a chiropractor help with arthritis?
Chiropractic can help with managing symptoms of arthritis, and to prevent further degeneration. Your chiropractor will first understand the type of arthritis you have, and recommend the best care plan.
Chiropractic adjustments can help increase the range of motion of the joint and reduce stiffness and pain felt. However, chiropractic cannot reverse the damage already present due to arthritis.
How many chiropractic sessions do I need to feel better?
Chiropractic is not a quick-fix for neck pain, and one adjustment will not solve the problem. Think about your teeth – it took them years to be misaligned and it takes a long process through bracing to get back the proper alignment. Likewise, it takes time for your body to respond to chiropractic adjustments and feel the relief you seek.
The number of adjustments required to find relief depends on the following:
Severity of your condition
How your body responds to adjustments
How regularly you come for your adjustments
We have helped many members who find relief after their first few adjustments, while others take a few months.
When should I do a check-up for arthritis?
If your pain has been persisting for more than a few days and is not responding well to home treatment or medications, you should come in for a check-up. It is important to address the root cause of your pain to prevent it from worsening.
At Chiropractic Singapore, our chiropractors are trained to understand if your spinal misalignment is caused by arthritis and recommend if and how chiropractic can help.
Note: The above information is not a substitute for a diagnosis or any form of medical care. Symptoms and treatments differ from person to person, and one should consult a chiropractor for an accurate diagnosis and recommendation.
