Did you know that according to the American Chiropractic Association that more than 20 million Americans experience osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes the cartilages between the bones to break down, causing pain, swelling, and even loss of motion.
Many people who experience osteoarthritis are females and are usually 65 years or older. The following causes could be by a family history, obesity, not exercising and previous joint injuries.
If you think you could be at risk or might be experiencing osteoarthritis, here are a few signs:
- The feeling or sound of bones gliding together
- Swelling or tenderness in the joints
- Joint stiffness after sitting, sleeping, or not moving for a period of time
To help relieve some of the pain, exercising is the best treatment. Exercising daily helps strengthen the muscles allowing more mobility and function in the joints. Exercising may include walking, light weight training, stair climbing, and even water aerobics. While you are working out don’t push yourself to hard. Listen to your body and know when to stop.
Another route that you can take is chiropractic treatment. Here at Wirth Chiropractic, Dr. Wirth can detect degenerative changes in the joints and help relieve the pain, increasing joint function through different types of therapies. Dr. Wirth will also provide you with exercises that will help ease the pain.
If you are struggling with osteoarthritis, call Wirth Chiropractic today!
