September is National Arthritis Month! Arthritis has become one of the most common chronic diseases, affecting millions of Canadians. The term arthritis is a general term for over a hundred other joint related conditions; however, the disease is often classified into two main types: inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in joints start to degenerate or wear down, causing friction between the bones and often leading to inflammation, swelling, and pain. Some common places in the body affected by osteoarthritis are the fingers, hips, knees, neck, and lower back. The loss of cartilage can lead to symptoms such as stiffness, warmth from the joint, and pain. With time and excessive wear and tear, symptoms can worsen resulting in a loss of mobility or even deformation.
Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment option for arthritis. Acupuncture helps to decrease the pain, swelling, and joint stiffness associated with arthritic conditions and can help you get back to your daily activities with less pain.
Don’t let arthritis stop you from doing the activities you enjoy. Book an appointment with one of our chiropractors today for effective treatment for your arthritic joints.