Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting over 30 million adults in the United States. It occurs when the protective cartilage at the ends of bones wears down over time, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. While there is no cure for OA, there are treatment options available to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. One such option is chiropractic care from Stover Chiropractic, P.C., located at 9129 Dickey Drive in Mechanicsville, VA.
Chiropractic care focuses on the health of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, providing drug-free, hands-on treatment to improve joint function and mobility. At Stover Chiropractic, P.C., Dr. Tripp Stover utilizes specific chiropractic techniques that can bring relief to those suffering from osteoarthritis symptoms.
What Causes Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine. There are several factors that contribute to the development of OA:
- Aging: As we get older, the water content in cartilage increases and the protein content decreases. This causes the cartilage to wear down more easily over time.
- Obesity: Excess weight puts additional pressure on weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees, increasing wear and tear.
- Injuries: Joint injuries, especially to the knee, can lead to OA later in life. Even injuries that occurred many years ago and seemingly healed can increase the risk.
- Genetics: Certain genetic defects affect the collagen matrix of cartilage, leading to more rapid breakdown.
- Repetitive stress: Jobs or activities that place repetitive stress on a joint can contribute to cartilage breakdown.
For many osteoarthritis sufferers, pain and stiffness start out mild and come and go. As the cartilage gradually wears down, symptoms become more persistent. Typical OA symptoms include:
- Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, especially after periods of overuse or inactivity
- Limited range of motion and loss of flexibility
- Tenderness when pressure is applied to the joint
- Bone spurs or extra bone growth
- Joint deformity, misalignment, instability
- Crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone
How Chiropractic Care Can Help Osteoarthritis
While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, chiropractic care can be an effective component of an OA treatment plan by providing natural, conservative management of the pain and disability associated with the condition.
Some of the ways chiropractic adjustments from Stover Chiropractic, P.C. can help osteoarthritis patients include:
- Improving joint mobility: Chiropractic adjustments can restore alignment and increase the range of motion of affected joints.
- Reducing inflammation: Spinal manipulation helps decrease inflammatory processes and swelling in the joints.
- Alleviating muscle tension: Chiropractic adjustments help relax muscles that have tightened around joints due to guarding from pain. This decreases stress on the joints.
- Optimizing biomechanics: Proper alignment of the joints enhances posture and mechanics of the spine and extremities, improving function.
- Stimulating healing: Chiropractic care improves motion of synovial fluid, bringing nutrition to joint tissues and removing waste products.
- Relieving pain: Chiropractic adjustments can reduce nerve interference and tension to decrease pain signals from affected joints.
In addition to spinal and extremity adjustments, Dr. Tripp Stover may incorporate other treatments such as joint mobilization, stretching, therapeutic exercises, gait training, massage therapy, and lifestyle advice. He will create a customized treatment plan based on the individual patient’s symptoms, needs, and goals.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic for Osteoarthritis
One specialized chiropractic technique offered by Stover Chiropractic, P.C. is upper cervical care. This method focuses on the top two vertebrae of the spine, the atlas and axis. Misalignments of these vertebrae, called subluxations, can directly impact the nervous system.
Dr. Tripp Stover is highly trained to detect even the slightest misalignment in the upper neck area. Then, he performs precise and gentle corrections to bring the spine back into alignment. By reducing nerve interference and restoring function to the nervous system, upper cervical chiropractic adjustments can relieve osteoarthritis symptoms naturally.
Patients under upper cervical care often report enhanced joint mobility, less stiffness, improved posture, and decreased pain. Upper cervical chiropractic does not involve any twisting, popping, or cracking during the adjustments.
Get Relief from Osteoarthritis Symptoms Today
If you are suffering from painful osteoarthritis symptoms, consider chiropractic care from Stover Chiropractic, P.C. The drug-free, non-invasive treatments offered can help improve joint function and mobility as well as manage your OA pain.
To determine if chiropractic is right for you, call Stover Chiropractic, P.C. today at (804) 559-1100 or stop by the office at 9129 Dickey Drive, Mechanicsville, VA 23116 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Tripp Stover. As a craniocervical instability specialist, upper cervical chiropractor, and chiropractic orthospinologist, Dr. Stover has the advanced skills and experience to help those suffering from osteoarthritis live a fuller, more active life.
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