Hoboken Integrated Healthcare Chiropractic Chiropractor
Chiropractic Care
Physical Therapy
On-site Medical Office
91 Washington Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030
201.798.2922

Arthritis

A study recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine1 has found that 63% of people who visited a rheumatologist for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia found chiropractic care to be the most helpful complementary program of care for these conditions.

In addition to chiropractic care, The Arthritis Foundation recommends that if you have pain, physical therapy can help strengthen your muscles to provide relief and regain motion, noting that a physical therapist will custom-tailor exercises to your particular condition. If your arthritis should require surgery, physical therapy will play a crucial role in your rehabilitation. The goal of your rehabilitation is to get the affected joint(s) moving as soon as possible to prevent stiffness and muscle atrophy, and to minimize scar tissue, which can crowd the joint and limit motion.

Chiropractic care and physical therapy can greatly improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis. Under our care, your treatment may include spinal adjustments, massage, physical therapy, and stretching and strengthening exercises. Our goals in treating your arthritis are to reduce pain; to help restore mobility, function, strength, and flexibility; and to prevent unnecessary disability. A program of care will be tailored specifically for you.

Here's what to expect:

Evaluation: Our specialist will review your health history and medical records as well as take any necessary X-rays. He or she will observe your general body mechanics, and may ask you to perform a series of simple tests to assess your condition and capabilities. Problems with range of motion, flexibility, strength, posture, endurance, respiratory function, and body mechanics may be discovered during these tests. A thorough consultation, exam and review of your X-ray films will enable our experts to determine the ideal plan of care for you.

Treatment: Your treatment will depend to a large extent on the precise nature of your condition. Even so, there are certain common denominators in the treatment of arthritis, such as special exercises for strength, flexibility and range of motion. Other treatments, or modalities, that may be used include chiropractic adjustments, heat, cold and massage.

Osteoarthritis

In osteoarthritis (OA), affected joints typically show signs of pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Inflammation also may occur as joint tissue is eroded. All joints are susceptible to OA, but the knee, hip; lower back, neck, shoulder, and hand are most commonly affected. While nearly 75 percent of those over age 60 develop OA, children and young adults – especially those who have experienced traumatic injuries to their joints – are not immune. People with OA can directly influence the course of the disease through physical therapy and a regular program of moderate stretching and strengthening exercises.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes inflammation in the lining of the joints and joint deformity. Unlike osteoarthritis, which is a localized condition, rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease that may involve the whole body. Fatigue is a common symptom of the disease. Physical therapists - often working as part of a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals - play a major role in the treatment of RA, both in post-surgical rehabilitation and as part of a long-term program designed to help manage pain and increase flexibility, strength and mobility.

Rao JK, Mihaliak K, Kroenke K, Bradley J, Tierney WM, Weinberger M. Use of complementary therapies for arthritis among patients of rheumatologists. Ann Intern Med 1999;131:409-416.

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