Joint pain affects millions of Americans, often causing chronic symptoms that interfere with regular daily activities. Fortunately, chiropractors are uniquely skilled and trained to treat joint pain, offering a broad array of therapies to support individualized treatment at every stage of care.
With locations in Lake Worth and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Easy Reach Chiropractic helps patients manage chronic joint pain with therapies targeting the root cause of symptoms. In this post, Barbara Adonis, DC, and Heather Previll, PT, DPT, describe some of the common causes of joint pain and how chiropractic care can help.
Although some joint pain is the direct result of a traumatic injury to the shoulder, chronic pain is commonly linked with irritation and inflammation inside the joint. Inflammation can be caused by several underlying problems.
Arthritis is one of the leading causes of joint inflammation. Though there are many “types” of arthritis, they all cause joint inflammation and eventual destruction of the joint surfaces.
Most people develop arthritis as a result of wear-and-tear on their joints, but some types of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, are associated with abnormal immune system reactions. In addition to joint pain, many people with arthritis also experience stiffness and reduced range of motion in the affected joint.
Bursae are tiny fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints and help them move smoothly. If these sacs become irritated, inflamed, or infected, you can wind up with considerable joint pain.
Tendons are fibrous bands that connect muscle tissue to bone. Sometimes, tendons become inflamed as a result of injury or strain, leading to ongoing joint pain and stiffness. Some types of tendon injuries cause crepitus, a sensation of scraping or “catching” when the tendon moves.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic medical condition associated with widespread pain, including pain in your joints. Although it may feel like arthritis, it’s actually a pain disorder with symptoms you can feel throughout your body, not just in your joints.
Some inflammatory conditions have unknown causes. For instance, frozen shoulder happens when the connective tissues surrounding the joint are inflamed. Researchers aren’t sure what triggers inflammation, but they do know it can cause considerable pain and reduced movement.
Before recommending a treatment for joint pain, our team reviews your symptoms and your medical history, then performs a thorough exam, often including diagnostic imaging studies. Once we determine the cause of your symptoms, we can develop a treatment plan focused on relieving them.
Physical therapy focuses on exercises to strengthen the muscles that support your joints, helping reduce the strain and load on your joints. Gentle stretches improve joint mobility and enhance circulation to promote healing.
Massage therapy increases blood flow to increase the delivery of oxygen needed for joint healing. Improved circulation also reduces inflammation and carries away toxins produced by the inflammatory process. And finally, regular massage helps relieve muscle tension that can exacerbate your symptoms.
Our team uses state-of-the-art class 4 lasers designed specifically to help repair tissue damage, including damage in and around your joints. Class 4 laser therapy can be a great choice for people with arthritis and those suffering from tendon or ligament problems.
Acoustic shockwave therapy uses a special device to deliver waves of energy into soft and connective tissues. These waves trigger healing responses to repair and restore damaged tissue, relieve pain, and improve overall joint function.
Each of these therapies can be used alone or in combination, and they can also be used with other treatments, like oral medications and injections.
Regardless of the underlying cause of your joint pain, we can recommend a therapy that can help. Learn more by requesting an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Easy Reach Chiropractic today.
