An elderly person receiving care for arthritis from a chiropractor.
An elderly person receiving care for arthritis from a chiropractor.

Chiropractic Care for Arthritis in Anchorage, AK

Expert Chiropractic Care for Arthritis Relief in Anchorage

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Better Health Alaska: What to Expect

Chiropractic care is just one of several conservative, holistic methods used to treat arthritis. Others include massage therapy, special exercises, and sometimes even dietary changes.

Your First Visit for Arthritis Care

At Better Health Alaska, we begin with a thorough consultation. Your first visit will typically entail a discussion of your symptoms as a doctor of chiropractic reviews your medical history. Next, a comprehensive exam will allow the chiropractor to render an official diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan.

With over two decades of providing chiropractic services in Anchorage, our approach to arthritis care is both comprehensive and highly personalized. We understand that arthritis affects every patient differently. Our experienced doctors don’t rely on a single solution; instead, we create a multifaceted treatment strategy that may integrate gentle spinal adjustments with targeted physical therapy, massage, and nutritional advice. This customized plan is designed not just to manage your symptoms, but to improve your overall joint function and quality of life right here in our community.

Treatment will likely consist of several different holistic methods used in tandem. A multifaceted approach is used to optimize the effectiveness of all treatments, which can include:

  • Chiropractic spinal adjustments
  • Physical therapy and posture advice
  • Nutrition advice and weight loss tips
  • Therapeutic massage therapy
  • And more…

Of course, every individual is different, so no two treatment plans are likely to be the same. But often, a multifaceted approach is used to optimize the effectiveness of all of the treatments used.

The Long-Term Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment for Arthritis

Chiropractic care is usually most effective over the long term, especially for a chronic condition like arthritis. Because arthritis is not currently curable, it’s best approached from a management perspective. Once you begin a chiropractic regimen, continuing with consistent care can help halt, or at least slow, the progression of the disease. As a conservative treatment method, our care helps you without the risks associated with long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

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Scientific Evidence: Is Chiropractic Good for Arthritis?

Chiropractic care is a proven method for managing arthritis by reducing pain, slowing joint degeneration, and improving range of motion. The following studies highlight its effectiveness for osteoarthritis, the most common type.

  • Chiropractor for Hip Arthritis: A 2010 study showed that after nine chiropractic sessions, four patients with hip osteoarthritis reported an overall improvement in pain and range of motion of nearly 70%.
  • Chiropractor for Knee Arthritis: A case study of a 54-year-old woman with knee osteoarthritis found that a combination of active and passive therapies, along with nutritional therapy, led to improvements in both knee pain and range of motion that lasted five months after treatment.
  • Chiropractor for Back Arthritis: In a large study of 250 people, patients receiving both moist heat and chiropractic care experienced significantly more rapid and profound pain relief and increased range of motion compared to those receiving only moist heat therapy.
  • Chiropractor for Rheumatoid Arthritis: For rheumatoid arthritis, where inflamed joints shouldn’t be heavily manipulated, chiropractic care can still help. One study showed it helped lower inflammation markers in the body, leading to less inflammation and pain.

Types of Chiropractic Treatment for Arthritis

Chiropractors will prescribe or recommend different treatments depending on what they find through their examination. These treatments might involve anything from daily exercises to lifestyle changes, manual adjustments, or massage therapy. For those with arthritis in the spine, a chiropractic doctor will likely recommend inflammatory back pain treatments that include spinal manipulation, certain exercises, and massage therapy. 

The goal of any chiropractic treatment for arthritis is to reduce inflammation and improve range of motion, as the studies above demonstrate. While spinal adjustments are a major component of any chiropractic treatment, they are far from the only tool in a chiropractor’s toolbox. Since it is a full-body approach, you’ll often find that the chiropractor’s office includes a physical therapist, a massage therapist, and a nutritionist. 

Some chiropractors are even nutritionists themselves, so they can better help their patients. They understand how all the separate parts of the body interact with each other. They know that an issue with the foot or the knee can cause problems all the way up to the spine.

When you visit a chiropractor for arthritis, you’ll likely get an approach that includes:

  • Spinal adjustments

  • Massage therapy

  • Stretching and exercises

  • Nutrition tips

  • Weight loss tips

  • Physical therapy

  • Anti-inflammation techniques, including ultrasound, cold laser therapy, electronic stimulation, and heat and ice therapy. 

  • Posture tips

Chiropractic Treatment vs. NSAIDs

Chiropractic care is often a better long-term option than over-the-counter drugs. One study concluded that continued use of NSAIDs should be avoided due to negative side effects and the fact that they only mask symptoms. The study found that chiropractic services, when used with other options like rehabilitative exercises, should be considered the best conservative treatment option for arthritis as it helps reduce pain and improve range of motion without the negative side effects.

Is Seeing a Chiropractor for Arthritis Safe?

Yes, chiropractic care is a non-invasive, conservative treatment method and is considered very safe for arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation recommends chiropractic care as an effective and safe way to manage the condition. The “cracking” sound you may hear during an adjustment is simply the release of gas from the joints and does not cause arthritis.does not cause arthritis, and there are plenty of studies that prove it. 

Your Trusted Anchorage Chiropractor for Arthritis

As the evidence suggests, arthritis sufferers should consider chiropractic treatment. Expert chiropractors, like the ones at Better Health Alaska, are well-versed in treating arthritis with over 20 years of experience. We offer treatment for cervical spondylosis, back arthritis, and arthritis of the knees, hips, and shoulders.

Ready to manage your arthritis pain and improve your quality of life? Contact the experienced team at Better Health Alaska. Schedule your consultation at our Anchorage or Juneau clinic today and discover how thousands of Alaskans have found lasting relief.

Same-Day Chiropractic Appointment. 10-Minute Wait Promise.

Better Health Alaska Chiropractors has helped thousands of patients get their life back through safe, effective, and cutting-edge treatments like the Alaska Back Pain Protocol. We use a multi-pronged, non-invasive approach to treat different conditions. And it’s done at a reasonable cost. We accept many types of insurance, and most insured patients pay $25 or less per visit. We even have options for the uninsured.