The American Chiropractic Association has posted helpful information for arthritis sufferers on how chiropractic medicine can help. Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1% of the US population, and causes painful joints with swelling, stiffness, and loss of function. Rheumatoid arthritis is different from other kinds of arthritis in affecting both sides of the body, most frequently affecting the wrists and fingers (although other joints can be affected, too), with tender, warm, and swollen joints, fatigue, and pain and stiffness long after resting.

In the past, the onset of rheumatoid arthritis was taken as signal you should slow down in your later years. And yes, rest is appropriate and helpful during acute flare-ups to help ease joint inflammation, pain, and fatigue (along with gentle range of motion exercises for the joints). But rest is only part of the equation, and when not in an active flareup, we have learned that exercise and activity are critical in managing rheumatoid arthritis, helping patients maintain and improve their flexibility, endurance, muscle strength, and joint mobility.

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor of chiropractic can help you plan an exercise program that will:

• Help you restore the lost range of motion to your joints
• Improve your flexibility and endurance
• Increase your muscle tone and strength

Doctors of chiropractic can also give you nutrition and supplementation advice that can be helpful in controlling and reducing joint inflammation.

To read more about Arthritis and Chiropractic Care: Healthy Living – Arthritis

Absolute Wellness Center in Eugene, OR provides sports medicine, chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, massage, and more. To learn more, give us a call at 541-484-5777.