What is Osteoarthritis and What Can You Do to Manage It?

The most common form of arthritis is called osteoarthritis, and it involves the general wear and tears that your protective cartilage goes through overtime. Your protective cartilage is what covers the ends of your bones and allows for smooth, pain-free joint motion. So the pain that you experience in your joints occurs when this cartilage gets worn down and is no longer protecting your bones as they move. In that case, using Dona can help.

While you can experience osteoarthritis anywhere in your body, the most common areas affected are your hands, hips, knees, and spine, and this is usually where you will experience pain. Unfortunately, there is not really any way to prevent the disease, nor is there any way to reverse the damage done. There are ways, though, that you can reduce the damage it can do, as well as manage the symptoms.

source:reachmd.com

Make the Right Adjustments

Lifestyle adjustments are one of the key ways that you can slow the process of osteoarthritis. Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight should be your top priority because you need to need to keep your body moving and not put too much pressure on your joints.

Movement is essential to preventing and reducing damage done to your body by osteoarthritis. That’s why many people see chiropractors for adjustments that can help promote healthy movement in the body – check this out to find out more about what a chiropractor can do for you.

source:reachmd.com

When your body is out of alignment it can increase pressure on your joints and reduce your mobility. Think of it like a door that has been warped over time because of air pressure and other factors. Because the door no longer fits into its frame properly it will rub against it every time it is opened and closed. This friction damages not only the door but the frame as well, all because the door was unaligned.

The mechanisms of your body (joints, muscles, etc.) all need to be aligned or else the friction of your bones rubbing together can cause your body damage and you pain. And when your cartilage – the stuff that’s supposed to cushion your bones – gets worn down, then your pain will only get worse.

source:reachmd.com

Know the Signs

You may be experiencing osteoarthritis if you have any of these symptoms:

  • You experience pain in your joints, even when not moving.
  • Applying pressure to your joints may make them feel tender.
  • Stiffness, especially after prolonged periods of not moving.
  • Reduced flexibility.
  • A grinding sensation when moving your joints.
  • Bone spurs which occur when hard lumps of extra bone grow around affected areas.

source:reachmd.com

If this sounds like you then you might want to talk to your doctor about treatment options. Getting assistance from your local chiropractic is also a great way to help you reduce pain and get your body back in alignment in order to prevent further damage. They can set up a treatment plan with you and also give you advice on what changes you could make in your life to help reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis.