Holistic Ways to Manage Arthritis

 Arthritis is a disease that affects at least 25% of the population, according to the OASH. There are several types of arthritis out there, but they all involve excessive pain and inflammation in the joints. It's commonly treated with medications that suppress the immune system, but did you know arthritis symptoms can often be reduced without this type of intervention? At Dr. J. Chiropractic and Wellness Center of Nitro, WV, we advocate for the use of holistic, non-invasive treatment methods wherever possible, and also use them on a complementary basis. In this article, we'll cover some of the best ways to manage arthritis naturally.

1. Exercise at your Level

Exercise is a great way to lubricate the joints and reduce extra weight. Being overweight places excess strain on the joints and worsens symptoms, but it's important to choose exercises that don't irritate your condition. Low-impact exercise is usually recommended in these situations. Things such as walking, biking, and swimming will allow you to stay active in a healthy way.

2. Herbs and Other Natural Remedies

Herbs have been used for millennia to resolve health issues. Some of them boil down to superstition, but some of them have serious evidence of their effectiveness. Tumeric, for example, is extremely effective at reducing joint pain and inflammation. Hot and cold therapy and meditation are also sometimes effective at relieving arthritis symptoms.

3. Healthy Lifestyle Changes

All of the common unhealthy lifestyle habits exacerbate arthritis. They may even be underlying causes of it. This includes smoking, drinking, and unhealthy diets. If you're unsure which of your habits contribute to your symptoms, feel free to reach out to Dr. J. Chiropractic and Wellness Center of Nitro, WV. Dr. McClanahan is available for consultations to discuss your situation. Surprisingly, stress also has a serious impact on arthritis. Try to keep calm and cut stress out of your life. You might just feel better!

 Give us a call at (304) 776-1520. We look forward to hearing from you!

Signs of Osteoarthritis

 Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the bones rub together due to worn tissue and cartilage that covers the joints. Cartilage has two functions in the body. It works as a lubricant and shock absorber, helping the bones in the joints move together safely and smoothly. For individuals with osteoarthritis, this movement of the joints and the bones is painful because the bones eventually rub together without the protection of cartilage. Osteoarthritis is frequently experienced in the neck, lower back, hips, hands, and knees. Chiropractic care can be an excellent treatment modality for osteoarthritis because chiropractic adjustments, also known as spinal manipulation, focus on creating alignment within the body. When the spine and the body are aligned, tissue inflammation is reduced, nerve function is improved, and there is less strain and stress on the affected joints. For patients in Nitro, WV, interested in addressing osteoarthritis with chiropractic care, Dr. Jay McClanahan with Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center provides outstanding care to all his patients.

Signs and Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis

The Cleveland Clinic estimates that more than 80% of adults over 55 have osteoarthritis, and 60% of these adults are symptomatic. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, stiffness, or swelling near a joint, joint deformity (looks different than it used to), a lack of strength and stability in a joint, and decreased range of motion. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and certain autoimmune diseases that affect the joints, such as lupus and scleroderma. 

Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis

If you are concerned that you have osteoarthritis and you live in Nitro, make an appointment with Dr. McClanahan so he can properly diagnose your condition. In your first appointment, Dr. McClanahan will take a comprehensive medical history, including lifestyle choices and current symptoms. He may use X-rays or recommend an MRI, CT scan, or blood tests to rule out the possibility of other conditions. Osteoarthritis can be mild and non-disruptive in some patients and extremely painful and debilitating in others. Over time, the wearing down of the material between the joints can lead to damaged ligaments, tendons, bone, synovium, and meniscus (in the knee).

Chiropractic Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Chiropractic treatment of osteoarthritis will include gentle chiropractic adjustments to ensure the body and the joints are in alignment. Dr. McClanahan may also recommend personalized therapeutic exercises and other chiropractic services to help reduce pain and inflammation in his patients. Osteoarthritis is common, but you do not have to suffer in silence. Contact Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, to make an appointment with Dr. McClanahan.  (304) 776-1520 

Osteoarthritis and Joint Dysfunction

 Osteoarthritis is the most frequent form of arthritis that people suffer from. More than 32 million people in the United States are affected. It causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. It can make doing ordinary tasks more difficult. Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Nitro, WV provides therapy and treatment that can help reduce pain and stiffness in the affected joints. 

What is osteoarthritis?

This type of arthritis is a degenerative joint disease. With this condition, the cartilage breaks down within the joints, and this causes the bones to also change. Cartilage acts as a shock absorber between the bones in your joints and when it deteriorates, it is bone on bone. This is usually a slow condition that happens over time. It can become a debilitating condition in some people, and for others, it is just a painful inconvenience.  

Causes of osteoarthritis

While osteoarthritis is usually considered a disease of aging, it can happen at any age. It is also more common in women than men. It can result from an injury to the joint, or it may be the result of a genetic defect in the cartilage. 

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

The symptoms of osteoarthritis usually begin in one joint or just a few. The most common symptoms are:

• Pain in the joint when used
• Pain goes away when the joint is resting
• Pain worsens at night
• The joint is stiff in the morning or after it has been rested
• Swelling in or around the joint
• Joint movement becomes limited
• Joint feels unstable

Treatments for osteoarthritis

Your chiropractor has treatments that can help with osteoarthritis and joint dysfunction. 

Chiropractic adjustment

Chiropractic adjustment can help with misalignment in the spine, but it can also be used for misalignment in any of your joints. Getting things back into alignment can help with mobility and function as well as pain. 

Ultrasound therapy

Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to help with inflammation and pain. It vibrates the tissues and promotes healing in the tissues and joints. It can be especially effective on the knees and hips.  

Chiropractic massage

With a relaxation massage, the muscles relax and when they do, it allows the joints they support to have a better range of motion and less pain. Studies have backed this up. 

Therapeutic exercise

Therapeutic exercise is targeted at specific areas and can help to improve your range of motion and mobility and activity is good for arthritis. 

Contact us

For information or help with osteoarthritis, call Dr. McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, serving Nitro, Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, and Teays Valley at (304) 776-1520. 

What are Some Signs of Osteoarthritis?

 

Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition, with symptoms that can vary in intensity. While chiropractic care with Dr. Jay McClanahan in Nitro, WV does not cure osteoarthritis, you can find significant relief from symptoms when you see a chiropractor. At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness, we provide treatment for the stiffness, poor range of motion, and pain that often accompanies osteoarthritis. If you are having trouble with mobility, or you have pain that is difficult to treat, it's time to see how chiropractic can help.

Signs of Osteoarthritis 

Osteoarthritis usually comes on slowly, but there are a number of signs that osteoarthritis is present. Pain in your joints after exercise, stiffness, poor range of motion, swelling, or a loss of flexibility can all indicate that you have arthritis in your body. Getting enough exercise will help you maintain flexibility, but this is hard if you have pain that is caused by osteoarthritis. Treatment with a chiropractor can improve strength and ease pain, making it easier for you to get the exercise you need.

Chiropractic Care and Osteoarthritis 

When you see a chiropractor for osteoarthritis, the goal will be to improve your overall wellness to make it easier for you to function. Stretching, home exercises, spinal adjustments and massage may all be part of your treatment plan. You can get stronger, and move about with less pain when you work with a chiropractor in Nitro to address your stiff joints. Once you begin working with a chiropractor, you will see your ability to move about with less pain improve.

Schedule With a Nitro, WV Chiropractor Today

To learn more about the benefits of chiropractic care and osteoarthritis, give Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness a call today at 304-776-1520 and set up your first appointment. You will meet with Dr. Jay McClanahan, and talk about your treatment goals. You can feel better with osteoarthritis, but you have to find natural ways to improve your overall health through chiropractic.

Spinal Spurs

 

Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center and Dr. Jay McClanahan know that people in Nitro, WV, with spinal spurs experience heavy pain that can be hard to manage. Our team of experts can help you understand why these bone spurs develop and ways you can manage them without difficulty.

How Spurs Develop

Spurs on your spine are just like any other bone spur and are hard bumps of extra bones that often form between joints or where two bones meet. However, they can form just about anywhere and don't cause any problems on their own. Unfortunately, spurs on your spine are a bit more problematic.

They typically occur because of things like osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, gout, injury, excessive use, obesity, genetic bone problems, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine), and a poor diet. Many of these influences can be properly regulated to prevent these spurs from ever developing.

If you develop spinal spurs in Nitro, WV, you may not experience any problems at all. Unfortunately, they may also cause a variety of symptoms like pain in the affected area, difficulty moving the area, spasms through the muscles, cramps, and even bumps beneath your skin.

Spurs in your spine are problematic because they may affect nerve signals if they're allowed to worsen or develop. As a result, it is important to talk with a treatment specialist who understands these issues and who can manage them before they worsen on you.

Treating This Painful Problem

When treating your spurs, our team will carefully scan your body to identify what is happening. These diagnostic steps may include x-rays and MRI scans that can get a quick look inside of your body, although we don't request those needlessly. If we see any spurs, we'll decide what kind of treatment method may work the best for you.

Medication and surgery are not always necessary to mitigate problems from spinal spurs, and even in cases where they are recommended, it is important to take holisitc steps to prevent spurs from developing again. For example, losing weight, eating a calcium-rich diet, and avoiding excessively working the affected area may all help. We'll help you come up with a plan that makes the most sense for your overall needs.

We Can Help You

Are you experiencing bone spurs in your spine and need help to manage them? You aren't alone. Thankfully, Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center and Dr. McClanahan can manage spinal spurs for Nitro, WV, residents. Call us at 304-776-1520 to set up an appointment with a team who cares.

Signs of Osteoarthritis

 

Signs of Osteoarthritis 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 58.5 million people in the U.S. have osteoarthritis -- a form of arthritis caused by wear and tear.

Because of how common this variety of arthritis is, Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness, serving Nitro, WV, and the nearby region, would like you to know the signs of look out for. So, which signs are most common?

Pain 

Pain is one of the most well-known signs of osteoarthritis. It occurs when you lose the cartilage at the end of the bone, which, as a result, leads to pain and discomfort. 

The joint pain you feel from this form of arthritis happens most often during or immediately following use. The pain will lessen as you rest, whether overnight while you sleep or as you stop using the joint in general. 

During your appointment at our office in Nitro, WV, our practitioner will ask you to gauge your pain on a scale of one to 10 and want to know when the pain occurs most often. 

Stiffness

Stiffness can occur with osteoarthritis, particularly as you sit or lay for prolonged periods. The stiffness you experience tends to decrease once you start to move the joint. 

Noticeable Swelling 

Swelling is your body's natural defense against damage. It occurs when your immune system sends white blood cells to combat the issue. When you have osteoarthritis, the joint may become swollen because your body is trying to heal the problem. Swelling, however, can intensify the pain. 

Loss of Range of Motion 

Osteoarthritis is one form of arthritis that can limit your range of motion. For instance, if it affects your shoulder, you may no longer be able to raise your arms straight up in the air. On the other hand, if it affects your knee joints, it could hinder your ability to walk. 

Grating Sensation 

With this condition, you might feel a grating sensation or hear snapping or crackling when you move the affected joint. While this can occur from bubbles in the synovial fluid, it can also stem from severe damage to the cartilage at the end of the bones. As a result, your bones may rub against one another because they no longer have that cushioning. 

Tenderness

Another symptom is tenderness to the touch. When you place pressure on the joint, it may feel tender. 

Pain, tenderness, and stiffness are all possible with osteoarthritis. Therefore, when you visit Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness, serving Nitro, WV, and the neighboring communities, these will be the signs he's looking for specifically. 

Book an appointment with us today by calling 304-776-1520. 

Arthralgia

Dr. Jay McClanahan provides chiropractic treatment for many issues. This includes joint pain, also known as Arthralgia. This isn’t a condition itself but a symptom of something larger like arthritis. When other treatments fail to work, contact Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center, located in Nitro, WV. We’ll help you find the pain relief you need.

The severity of your joint pain is completely personalized to you. Everyone experiences it differently. It ranges from mild discomfort to debilitating. When it gets severe, patients struggle to even move or walk. Here are a few causes of arthralgia:

-Muscle strain
-Dislocation
-Nutritional deficiencies
-Fibromyalgia
-Gout
-Bursitis
-Lupus
-Osteoarthritis
-An underactive thyroid
-Psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis
-Rickets
-Multiple sclerosis
-Sprains
-Tendonitis
-Sarcoidosis

Scheduling an appointment with Dr. McClanahan is the best way to get a diagnosis. The appointment starts with your Nitro, WV, chiropractor performing a physical evaluation. This narrows down what could be causing your arthralgia. Once the reasoning behind the pain is found, the treatment begins.

It’s important to remember that chiropractic care is holistic. Instead of giving you prescription drugs, we utilize your body’s natural healing processes. Increasing its overall functioning lets you heal quicker and better.

Don’t wait any longer when struggling with arthralgia. Pain relief is possible with just one phone call! Schedule an appointment with Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center today. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Jay McClanahan in Nitro, WV, call 304-776-1520 or visit https://www.drjbackdocwv.com/