The Role of Chiropractic Care in Helping Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that can have a profound impact on your quality of life. It can lead to painful joint inflammation, fatigue, and a host of other symptoms that can make even everyday activities seem daunting. If you're searching for an alternative or supplementary way to manage RA, chiropractic care might be an option worth considering.

Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA primarily affects the joints, causing symptoms like pain, swelling, and stiffness. It's a chronic condition, meaning it doesn't go away and can worsen over time. The disease can also have systemic effects, affecting other organs like the skin, eyes, and lungs.

Traditional Treatments for RA

The usual treatment regimen for RA includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). While these medications can offer relief, they often come with their own set of side effects and potential complications.

The Nervous System and Chiropractic Care

The nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body, and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves, and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic improves nerve supply and function.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help?

1. Pain Relief: Chiropractic adjustments can offer immediate relief from joint and muscle pain, which is a common complaint among RA patients.

2. Improved Mobility: Through spinal adjustments, chiropractic care can help increase your range of motion and reduce stiffness, allowing you to move more freely.

3. Enhanced Nervous System Function: As chiropractic care improves nerve supply and function, it can potentially enhance the overall functioning of your body, including the immune system. This is crucial for managing autoimmune conditions like RA.

4. Immune System Support: Proper nerve function is essential for optimal immune system performance. By improving nerve function through the removal of vertebral subluxations, chiropractic care can support the body's immune responses, which is crucial for autoimmune conditions like RA.

5. Complementary Treatment: Chiropractic care can be a useful adjunct to traditional treatments, possibly enhancing the efficacy of medications and reducing side effects.

6. Holistic Well-Being: Beyond the focus on spinal alignments, chiropractors often advise on lifestyle and dietary changes that can help manage RA symptoms effectively.

A recently published study describes how chiropractic helped end one woman's suffering.

CLICK HERE to review the research

In Conclusion

Managing rheumatoid arthritis is a multifaceted challenge. Alongside traditional treatments, chiropractic care provides a promising addition for symptom management and improving quality of life. Through spinal adjustments that improve nerve function, chiropractic care opens a new pathway for those seeking to manage their RA symptoms effectively.