Alternative Treatment Options for Arthritis
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Arthritis is very common, but is not well understood. It actually isn’t even a single disease, but an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and it is the leading cause of disability in America. Although most think only the elderly suffer from joint pain, it actually affects people of all ages. In fact, more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis.
Two Main Types of Arthritis
Because there are numerous types of arthritis, only two are very well known: Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Both can cause intense joint pain, but they are each caused by different factors. OA generally develops in joints that are overused such as the knees, hips and hand joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune condition and is caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue. RA often results in chronic inflammation, which can create swelling, pain, deformations, stiffness, and reduce movement and functionality of the joint.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis
Some early signs of Arthritis can include:
- Joint pain
- Joint tenderness
- Joint swelling
- Joint redness
- Joint warmth
- Joint stiffness
- Loss of joint range of motion
- Joint deformity
- Loss of joint function
Conventional treatment can be invasive and aggressive. Many RA sufferers are prescribed immune blockers that suppress the immune system, so that it no longer attacks healthy tissue. Although this works in theory, a weakened immune system puts you at a greater risk for developing infections and other serious complications like cancer.
For those suffering from OA, opioids like prescription pain killers are usually prescribed to alleviate pain. This method does not treat the disease at the source and opioids are highly addictive.
Alternative treatment options are available for Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Joint Regeneration Therapy, also known as prolotherapy, specifically treats laxity in ligaments as well as swelling and pain in the effected joint.
Regenerative Joint Therapy is less invasive than traditional surgical repair because it uses the body’s own healing ability to repair itself. The treatment involves injections of local anesthetics and other commonly available natural substances to cause an inflammatory reaction that stimulates the body to make new connective tissue.
This injection technique has been performed for decades with great success and can be used in the:
- Spine (neck and back)
- The sacroiliac joints
In place of prescription medication, natural supplements can also help arthritis sufferers overcome debilitating pain. A customized supplement plan developed by a Naturopath can help you eliminate pain and inflammation, and for those suffering from RA, can help treat immune system issues.
Why Choose Arizona Integrative Medical Center
Our Naturopathic doctors will listen to your symptoms and will come up with a treatment plan designed specifically for you and your level of joint pain. To schedule a consultation, please click here. If you would like more information regarding arthritis treatment, please give us a call at 480-214-3933.