Easing the Burden of Osteoarthritis: How Chiropractic and Related Therapies Can Help

By Dr. Tyler Bohlke

Pain, stiffness, swelling, decreased range of motion. Sound familiar? If you deal with osteoarthritis, you’re definitely alone. This degenerative joint disease affects millions of people. It can make the simplest of tasks, such as tying your shoes, climbing stairs, or opening a jar, feel challenging.

This degenerative condition occurs when the smooth cartilage cushioning your joints breaks down over time. Your bones start rubbing together, creating pain, swelling, and reduced mobility. The hands, knees, hips, and spine bear the brunt of this wear and tear, affecting your quality of life.

The Common Risk Factors

Several factors can increase your risk of developing this joint condition:

• Age: The risk of OA increases with age.
• Genetics: A family history of OA can increase your risk.
• Obesity: Excess weight puts more stress on weight-bearing joints.
• Joint injury: Previous injuries can increase the risk of developing OA in that joint.
• Repetitive stress: Jobs or activities that involve repetitive joint motion can contribute to OA (e.g. kneeling, lifting, or even long hours at a keyboard).

A Natural Path to Pain Relief

Tired of relying on OTC medication, topical creams and gels, or injections to get relief from your OA? “We focus on restoring natural movement and reducing inflammation without relying on medications or surgery,” says Dr. Tyler.

Spinal and joint adjustments can help improve joint function, reduce pain, and increase range of motion. By restoring proper alignment, chiropractic adjustments can also help reduce stress on the affected joints, allowing you to move more comfortably.

Advanced Therapies That Make a Difference

In addition to chiropractic care, Rejuvenate provides an array of effective modalities to address OA. Spinal decompression therapy gently stretches your spine, relieving pressure on compressed discs and nerves. This can be particularly helpful if arthritis affects your back.

Class IV laser therapy uses specific light wavelengths to penetrate deep into tissues. This promotes natural healing while reducing pain and inflammation. Electrical stimulation (E-Stim) delivers gentle pulses to activate muscles and nerves, helping reduce pain and swelling while improving muscle support around affected joints.

Intersegmental traction uses a motorized table with rollers that move along your spine. This gentle motion can ease muscle tension, improve flexibility, and support circulation for natural healing.

Beyond Pain Management

Our doctors often work as part of a team with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive osteoarthritis management. We may recommend losing some excess pounds to reduce stress on weight-bearing joints. That’s because every pound of body weight puts about four pounds of pressure on your knees.

You can also make some simple ergonomic changes at work or at home to prevent unnecessary strain. Diet matters too, as highly processed foods can create significant inflammation. Choosing anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish, leafy greens, and berries may help reduce joint inflammation naturally.