Arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain and limited mobility, affecting over 54 million adults in the United States. While many turn to medication or surgery for relief, chiropractic therapy offers a non-invasive and natural treatment option for arthritis management, addressing joint misalignments and alleviating pain. To better understand how chiropractic care can help, we spoke with Dr. Jeremy Coffey, a chiropractor at the Western Reserve Hospital Center for Pain Management, who shared his expertise on this topic.

In this article, we’ll explore what arthritis is, how it impacts the body, and how chiropractic care can help alleviate pain, improve mobility, and support overall joint health.

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis, derived from the Latin words "artht" (joint) and "itis" (inflammation), is an umbrella term for joint inflammation. According to Dr. Coffey, “When we talk about arthritis, we’re generally referring to osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition that often develops after trauma plus time.” Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and occurs when the cartilage that cushions joints breaks down, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.

Other forms of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, are less common but involve the body attacking its own tissues. While these inflammatory conditions can cause unique challenges, most arthritis patients that Dr. Coffey treats experience the degenerative effects of osteoarthritis.

Types of Arthritis

Arthritis is a broad term that encompasses over 100 different conditions affecting the joints and surrounding tissues. The most common types of arthritis include:

• Osteoarthritis (OA): This degenerative joint disease occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints wears down, causing bone to rub against bone, leading to pain and stiffness.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): An autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and pain in the joints, often leading to deformity and disability. The immune system mistakenly attacks the joint tissues, causing severe rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): A type of arthritis that occurs in people with psoriasis, a skin condition characterized by red, scaly patches. Psoriatic arthritis can cause joint pain and swelling.

Understanding the different types of arthritis is crucial for effective treatment and pain management.

Common Arthritis Symptoms

Arthritis symptoms can vary depending on the type of arthritis, but common symptoms include:

• Joint Pain and Stiffness: Persistent pain and stiffness in the joints, which can worsen with activity or after periods of inactivity.
• Swelling and Redness: Inflammation in the affected joints can cause visible swelling and redness.
• Limited Range of Motion: Difficulty moving the joints through their full range of motion due to pain and stiffness.
• Fatigue and Weakness: Chronic pain and inflammation can lead to overall fatigue and muscle weakness.
• Morning Stiffness: Many people with arthritis experience stiffness that lasts for hours after waking up.
• Loss of Function and Mobility: Severe arthritis can lead to significant loss of joint function and mobility, impacting daily activities.

Recognizing these arthritis symptoms early can help in seeking timely treatment and managing the condition effectively.

How Arthritis Affects the Body and Causes Joint Pain

Arthritis doesn’t just cause discomfort—it fundamentally alters the way your joints function. Dr. Coffey explains: “Cartilage acts like a furniture slider between bones, preventing friction. When the cartilage wears down, it’s like moving heavy furniture without a slider—painful and damaging.”

Over time, the loss of cartilage causes bones to rub against each other, leading to inflammation, bone spurs, and decreased joint mobility. As the condition progresses, it can even result in joint fusion, where bones grow together, further limiting movement.

“When the joint isn’t moving properly, the fluid isn’t circulating properly,” Dr. Coffey explains. “That fluid is essential for keeping cartilage healthy. Without it, the cartilage thins, the bones start to interact, and that’s when problems arise.”

Diagnosing Arthritis

Diagnosing arthritis typically involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. A healthcare provider may use the following methods to diagnose arthritis:

• Medical History: A thorough review of the patient’s medical history to identify any underlying conditions that may be contributing to the symptoms.
• Physical Examination: Assessing the patient’s joint mobility, strength, and flexibility to identify any joint problems.
• Laboratory Tests: Blood tests and other laboratory tests to check for inflammation, infection, and other conditions that may be causing the symptoms.
• Imaging Studies: X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans to visualize the joints and surrounding tissues, helping to identify joint damage and inflammation.

A comprehensive approach to diagnosing arthritis ensures that the underlying causes of joint pain and other symptoms are accurately identified.

The Role of Chiropractic Care in Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Chiropractic treatment focuses on alleviating pain and restoring function by improving joint motion, which is essential for maintaining healthy cartilage and reducing pain. “The body is meant to move,” says Dr. Coffey. “When it moves properly, the fluid moves properly, the cartilage stays healthy, and the bones don’t interact.”

By restoring motion to stiff or dysfunctional joints, chiropractic adjustments can alleviate pain and stiffness, improve mobility, and support the body’s natural healing processes. While it’s not a cure for arthritis, chiropractic care can help slow the progression of the condition by addressing the root cause of joint degeneration: lack of proper movement.

Chiropractic Techniques for Arthritis Pain Relief

Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to manage arthritis symptoms, tailoring their approach to each patient’s specific needs. Chiropractic care can also treat soft tissue injuries, which can alleviate pain and improve range of motion. Dr. Coffey shared some of the most common methods:

• Myofascial Techniques and Active Release Therapy: These target tight muscles and connective tissues to reduce tension around the joints.
• Adjustments: High-velocity, low-amplitude movements restore proper joint motion and alignment.
• Traction and Stretching: These techniques “open up” the joints, improving mobility and reducing pressure on inflamed areas.
• Muscle Work: Loosening tight muscles can relieve joint stiffness and improve overall function.

“If we can loosen up the muscles and take some of the pressure off the joints, it can go a long way in reducing pain and improving function,” Dr. Coffey notes.

How Chiropractic Care Differs from Other Treatments

Many people rely on medication or physical therapy to manage arthritis. While these treatments have their place, chiropractic care offers unique benefits. Chiropractic care also emphasizes natural pain management as a holistic approach to alleviating arthritis pain.

“Chiropractic care is more mechanical,” explains Dr. Coffey. “We’re working directly on the body to restore motion and function, whereas medication is more chemical, aiming to reduce pain and inflammation.”
Physical therapy, on the other hand, often overlaps with chiropractic care. Both approaches aim to improve mobility and reduce pain, but physical therapy focuses on strengthening muscles and the body’s overall movement patterns. “Chiropractic care and physical therapy are complementary,” Dr. Coffey adds. “Together, they can help build strength, restore motion, and create better outcomes for patients.”

Can Chiropractic Care Slow Arthritis Progression?

While chiropractic care cannot reverse severe arthritis, it can help slow its progression. However, in severe cases, joint replacement surgery might still be necessary. By restoring proper joint motion, chiropractic care supports healthier joints and reduces the risk of further degeneration.

“Chiropractic care can lessen progression by restoring joint motion,” says Dr. Coffey. “While it won’t reverse severe arthritis, it can prevent further degeneration by keeping joints moving properly.”

Exercises and Lifestyle Changes to Support Chiropractic Care

In addition to chiropractic care, certain exercises and lifestyle changes can significantly improve arthritis symptoms. These exercises and lifestyle changes can also provide significant pain relief for arthritis sufferers. Dr. Coffey recommends low-impact activities such as:

• Yoga or Tai Chi: Gentle movements improve flexibility and balance.
• Swimming: Reduces joint stress while strengthening muscles.
• Walking or Cycling: Helps maintain mobility without overloading joints.

“If we build up the core and muscles around the spine, it takes pressure off the joints and helps the system work better,” Dr. Coffey explains. Strengthening surrounding muscles can reduce pain and support long-term joint health.

Addressing Common Concerns About Chiropractic Care

Many people hesitate to try chiropractic care because of misconceptions. Dr. Coffey acknowledges this: “People think chiropractic care is all about cracking joints, but joint motion can come in a variety of ways. It doesn’t have to involve popping and cracking if that’s not something you’re comfortable with.” Chiropractic techniques can effectively relieve pain without causing additional discomfort.

Chiropractors can use gentle techniques like traction and muscle work to achieve similar results without causing discomfort. “There are lots of ways we can approach treatment to ensure you’re comfortable and getting better,” Dr. Coffey reassures.

When Chiropractic Care May Not Be Advisable

While chiropractic care is generally safe, certain conditions require extra caution. For example:

• Joint Laxity: Common in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, where joints are overly mobile.
• Joint Fusions: Chiropractic care can’t target fused joints but can help surrounding areas.

“Chiropractic care can still be beneficial in these cases,” says Dr. Coffey, “as long as we tailor the approach to the patient’s needs.”

What to Expect from Chiropractic Care for Arthritis

Patients often experience immediate relief after chiropractic adjustments, but some soreness is normal as the body adapts to increased motion. Over time, consistent care can lead to lasting improvements.

“Over time, patients should feel lighter, looser, and easier to move,” Dr. Coffey explains. However, arthritis is a long-term condition, and progress requires patience and consistency.

Conclusion

Arthritis is a challenging condition, but chiropractic care offers a safe, natural way to manage symptoms and support joint health. By restoring motion, reducing pain, and improving mobility, chiropractic care can significantly enhance the quality of life for arthritis sufferers.

As Dr. Coffey says, “It doesn’t have to be a scary thing. There are lots of ways we can approach treatment to ensure you’re comfortable and getting better.”

If you’re ready to explore chiropractic care for arthritis, schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeremy Coffey at the Western Reserve Hospital Center for Pain Medicine today.