Why Arthritis Awareness Month matters
1 in 5 Canadians live with arthritis. Even if you don’t suffer from this incurable disease, you probably know someone who does. Arthritis Society Canada estimates that by 2045, the number of Canadians living with arthritis will grow by a staggering 50%, affecting nine million Canadians.
September is Arthritis Awareness Month, and a good time to talk about the disease and its impact on Canadians. Raising awareness can hopefully lead to earlier recognition of symptoms, better access to care, and stronger community support.
In this blog, learn about arthritis, resources available for patients, and how chiropractic care options available through the Alliance Chiropractic team can help with symptom and pain management.
Different types of arthritis
If joint pain, stiffness, or swelling is slowing you down, you are not alone.
Arthritis affects both young and older patients, and has no known cure.
There are different types of arthritis. Understanding the type, can help ensure that the correct strategy is used to manage symptoms.
- The most common type, osteoarthritis occurs when joint cartilage wears down over time, often in knees, hips, hands, and the spine
- Occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks a patient’s joints, leading to swelling, warmth, and morning stiffness. Examples include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout
Affects children and teens, and if detected early can be managed to remission to ensure the patient’s growth, school participation, and play
Arthritis can affect patients of any age
Historically, arthritis was believed to impact older adults only; however, we now know that arthritis can affect patients at any stage of life. Recognizing that arthritis can look different across life stages helps patients advocate for care that matches their day to day needs.
For example, kids with juvenile arthritis may struggle with fatigue and stiffness during school or at play. Younger adults may notice flare ups that make commuting, working, or managing their young children particularly challenging. Older adults may experience osteoarthritis that affects their ability to move or function independently.
Tip: Arthritis Society Canada has compiled life stage specific resources for kids and teens, young adults (ages 18-35), and older adults. Find them here.
Chiropractic care for managing arthritis symptoms
There is no known cure for arthritis, however, many patients seek supportive chiropractic care for managing their symptoms. Arthritis related symptoms may include pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
At Alliance Chiropractic, we work with patients to develop individualized treatment plans tailored to their goals. Our approach is gentle, drug free, and evidence based. Examples of approaches that are used to provide symptom relief for arthritis patients include:
- Joint mobilization and gentle manipulation to improve mobility in stiff areas
- Soft tissue therapy to reduce muscle guarding and relieve tension around sore joints
- Laser therapy and electrical modalities to reduce pain and promote local circulation
- Custom exercise plans to build strength and flexibility, supporting joint stability and improved balance
- Ergonomic guidance for work and home including posture tips and desk/workstation set up
- Custom orthotics and bracing guidance if foot or knee alignment is part of the problem
For many arthritis patients, their biggest goals are simple – take the dog for a walk, lift a grandchild comfortably, or enjoy hobbies such as gardening without pain or soreness during or after. Whatever your goals, we will work with you to help you achieve them. Our team is also happy to work with other health care providers who may be involved in your care, to ensure you receive the support you need.
Simple steps for symptom relief
Small, consistent habits can often make a real difference in managing pain and ensuring safe movement and function. Arthritis Society Canada and Ontario Chiropractic Association have developed resources for patients managing arthritis symptoms. Here are some of their tips:
- Exercise daily and choose low impact activity such as walking, cycling, or swimming
- Perform gentle range of motion exercises in the morning to ease stiffness
- If knees are a concern, strengthen hips and thighs to support knees and reduce load
- Warm up before an activity to loosen up joints and muscles
- Pace activities by dividing tasks into smaller chunks
- Take short breaks to prevent pain escalating
- Wear stable supportive shoes to reduce stress on ankles, knees, and hips
- Practise safe lifting technique by keeping your back straight, lifting with your legs, and using both hands for heavier items
- Try simple joint protection habits, lift with your legs, use two hands for heavier items, and divide tasks into smaller chunks
Tip: For some arthritis patients, custom foot orthotics can help significantly. Contact us if you would like more information.
Have other questions?
We can help. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis and are seeking pain relief or advice on managing symptoms, or supporting a loved one living with arthritis, our team is here to support you. Contact us to learn about the services we offer.
Get in touch with our team if you have questions related to this blog or any other health or wellness concern.
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Information for this blog was sourced from arthritis.ca, OCA, and our Blog Library.