Is chiropractic care safe for rheumatoid arthritis?

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints, which can cause pain, irritation, and stiffness throughout the joints of the body. Common symptoms include swelling, joint pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion, which typically worsens with age.

Arthritis is not a single disease. There are over 100 different types, making it the number one cause of disability in America, affecting more than 50 million people. There are two main types that can benefit from routine chiropractic care:

Osteoarthritis — a degenerative disorder affecting flexible joint cartilage.

Rheumatoid arthritis — a chronic inflammatory disorder in the joints.

In both cases, self-care combined with non-invasive, non-addictive treatment should serve as your first line of defense to manage and relieve pain and discomfort.

Is chiropractic safe for rheumatoid arthritis specifically?

Yes, when it’s approached correctly. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, and it can affect the stability of certain joints, including in the neck, during flares. That means we don’t treat every RA patient the same way we’d treat a routine case of osteoarthritis.

Before any adjustment, Dr. Polson performs a full evaluation and reviews your history with RA, including how active your condition is and what your rheumatologist or physician has advised. Techniques are then chosen and adjusted to be gentle enough for inflamed joints, and care is coordinated with your other doctors, not done in place of them.

If you’re in a flare, we may hold off on certain techniques until things settle down. That’s not us being overly cautious for no reason. It’s how we keep chiropractic care safe for RA patients over the long run.

How can chiropractic care help?

Chiropractic care is a great way to get a handle on the pain caused by arthritis. It gives patients a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to the prescription and over-the-counter pain medications that are so commonly relied on.

A chiropractic adjustment is a gentle therapy that works to reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints, aiming to reduce inflammation and improve the function of both the affected joints and the nervous system. By increasing joint mobility and improving nervous system function and spinal health, your body is better able to manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

To see if chiropractic care is right for your condition, Dr. Polson will perform a consultation and examination at our Mansfield office. Based on what we find, he may choose to co-treat your arthritis alongside other healthcare professionals, including massage therapists, physical therapists, or your primary care physician.

Polson Family Chiropractic has been caring for patients in Mansfield, Arlington, Grand Prairie, and the surrounding area since 1984. We’re rated 5.0 on Google, and we run a strict “No Wait” policy, so when you book an appointment for arthritis care, you’re seen on time. You can read more from patients in our own words on our testimonials page.

Benefits patients often see:

Reduced pain and discomfort
Decreased inflammation
Improved range of motion
Improved flexibility
A more active lifestyle