Arthritis Pain: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

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In this video, Brooke Halboth, DC discusses the two most common types of arthritis pain. She also covers traditional treatment methods and how Airrosti can be used in conjunction with traditional care to help lessen the chronic pain and stiffness associated with wear and tear on your joints.

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis is a very common condition. Rather than referring to a single disease, arthritis is an informal term used to describe multiple types of joint pain and disease.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions, including psoriatic arthritis (PsA), fibromyalgia, and gout. However, the two most common types are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.

TYPES OF ARTHRITIS PAIN

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions, including psoriatic arthritis (PsA), fibromyalgia, and gout. However, the two most common types are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.

OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA)

The number one common cause is the degenerative disease known as Osteoarthritis (OA). This is caused by wear and tear on the joints and typically develops gradually and later in life. It most often develops in weight-bearing joints, such as the hip and knee, but can also develop in other joints such as the shoulders, elbows, and fingers. As the cartilage in the joint wears away, it becomes frayed and rough. The protective joint space between the bones decreases, resulting in painful bone rubbing on bone.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA)

RA is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack the body’s joints. This can begin at any stage in life and happens very rapidly as joints become painful and swollen. It is also common to feel frequent fatigue when combating Rheumatoid arthritis. There is no proven cure for RA, but medication can help with pain management.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR ARTHRITIS?

The leading cause of disability in America, arthritis affects people of all ages, sexes, and races. However, it is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older. One in two adults will develop symptoms of knee OA during their lives, and one in four adults will develop symptoms of hip OA by age 85.

Risk factors include:

  • Obesity
  • Previous joint injury
  • Overuse of the joint
  • Careers that require long periods of standing, repetitive bending, or heavy lifting
  • Weak muscles
  • Aging and genetics

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ARTHRITIS

Common symptoms of arthritis include:

  • Pain and stiffness, particularly first thing in the morning or after resting
  • Symptoms are often limited to one set of joints and may come and go
  • Pain that tends to worsen after activity or towards the end of the day
  • Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain and inability to do daily activities
  • With hip OA, pain is felt in the groin area of buttocks and sometimes on the inside of the knee or thigh
  • With knee OA, a grating or scraping sensation occurs when moving the knee

WHAT ARE ARTHRITIS TREATMENT OPTIONS?

Because OA gradually worsens over time, the sooner you start treatment, the more likely it is that you can lessen the impact on your life. Although there is no cure, there are many treatment options to help you manage pain and stay active.

Clinical guidelines recommend conservative treatment, including physical activity, exercise to improve joint mobility and flexibility, and manual therapy to reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight is a major component in minimizing pain associated with OA. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options, which may include the following for mild or moderate symptoms:

  • Active care program to strengthen the muscles around the joint, improve flexibility, lessen stiffness, and reduce pain
  • Regular physical activity to minimize stiffening and weakening joints
  • Hot and cold therapies
  • Weight loss
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medicines
  • Avoiding excessive repetitive movements

If joint damage is severe, causing limited mobility and affecting quality of life, joint replacement may be necessary.

HOW AIRROSTI CAN HELP: ARTHRITIS DIAGNOSIS AND ARTHRITIS PAIN MANAGEMENT

In patients with OA, the addition of manual (hands-on) therapy techniques has been shown to decrease pain and increase function. These techniques can target areas that are difficult to treat on your own. At Airrosti, our providers pinpoint the root cause of the pain and manually correct the underlying issue.

Active rehab exercises also help to ease the pain. Depending on which joints are causing you pain, your Airrosti provider will develop a custom treatment plan.

Reviewed by Casey Crisp, Doctor of Chiropractic

Disclaimer: Always consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program. If you experience any numbness, tingling or reproduction of your symptoms, please contact your doctor.

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