Arthritis can be one of the more frustrating chronic conditions. It’s impossible to predict when you may experience a flare-up. Here are three ways your chiropractor may help ease your arthritis pain and help you manage future flare-ups.
Massage therapy for arthritis pain
If you are in the midst of intense arthritis pain and inflammation, your chiropractor will not make any significant adjustments as this can intensify the swelling of the joints. However, they may use gentle massage therapy techniques around the arthritic joint to help promote blood flow to the area and ease stiffness.
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Ultrasound and electrotherapy for arthritis pain
Your chiropractor may employ additional modalities to help ease pain and stiffness from arthritis. During therapeutic ultrasound, your chiropractor will coat the affected area in a special gel and rub a small wand over and around the inflammation. The ultrasound tool uses sound waves intended to promote blood flow within the tissue, although research on its benefits for arthritis is mixed.
Electrotherapy delivers a mild electric current through electrical wires connected to adhesive pads placed on or around the surrounding muscles. The mild electric current is intended to ease pain and muscle tension, and some people find it helps relieve discomfort around the joints.
Physical therapy and muscle scraping for arthritis pain
Over time, the muscles and soft tissue around an affected joint can become tight, which may make a flare-up feel more painful. Chiropractors can utilize a technique called muscle scraping, also referred to as gua sha in ancient Chinese medicine, which utilizes a small plastic flat scraper to massage the muscles surrounding the joint. This combined with a regular regimen of physical therapy exercises can help build up supporting muscles to help reduce further injury and pain.
If you continually ignore arthritis pain and it goes untreated it may get worse. Call our Huntington Beach chiropractor today to schedule your assessment and develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
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This article is for general education and isn't a substitute for an exam. If you have severe or worsening symptoms, seek medical care.
