Arthritis Special Report

 

 

 

Everything You Need to

 

Know About Arthritis

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

 

 

Thank you for requesting the “Arthritis Special Report.”  The American Medical Information Association which sent you this report was founded to provide patients with the critical information they need to make informed choices when seeking a physician.  Dr. Shelby Glazer who co-authored this report, is a founding member of the American Medical Information Association and a Senior Editor for the Chiropractic Section.  If you have further questions about Arthritis, please call Dr. Glazer at 248-353-BACK(2225).

 

 

 

 

 

If you or a loved one is suffering from Arthritis,

 

 

 

Call Dr. Glazer for an appointment at

 

 

 

248-353-BACK (2225)

 

 

 

Don’t delay.

 

Early treatment means

 

 earlier relief and faster healing.

 

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

 

 

Q. What is Arthritis?

 

 

 

A.  There are many different forms of arthritis but the type that is discussed in this article is Osteoarthritis (OA).  Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is experienced by millions of people.  OA is a condition that affects the joints of the body (any place where two or more bones meet), and causes pain, stiffness, and swelling.  Shoulders, knees, hands, back, neck, and hips are very common places to experience arthritis.  OA is also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD).

 

 

 

Q. What causes Arthritis?

 

 

 

A. Arthritis is caused by stress on your joints over time.  This stress has a “wear and tear” effect on joints that results in decay of joint cartilage, and formation of bone spurs.  In addition, poor posture and small joint misalignments can increase the amount joint stress, increasing your chances of developing arthritis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q. Who has arthritis?

 

 

A.  Arthritis is most common in people ages 50 and over, but can be seen in much younger people as well.  It is not uncommon to develop arthritis in a joint that had an injury from many years ago.  Also, people who have labor intensive jobs and who are/were extremely active with sports over the years have a greater chance at developing arthritis than others.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. What are common arthritis symptoms?

 

 

A.       

 

·        Back pain, neck pain, hip pain, hand pain, shoulder pain etc.

 

·        Stiffness and difficulty with motion

 

·        Inflammation, swelling, redness, warmth

 

·        Clicking, popping or cracking noises while moving joints

 

·        Symptoms often worse in the morning, and improve throughout the day

 

 

 

 

 

Q. How do I know if I have arthritis?

 

 

 

A.  If you are experiencing any of the symptoms describe above, consulting a doctor is the first step.  Symptoms involving the neck, back, or hips should be examined by a board certified Chiropractor.  For a proper diagnosis it is common for a Chiropractor to evaluate your health history, perform an examination, and take x-rays.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. What can I do for relief?

 

 

 

A.  For mild cases of arthritis ice and heat therapy can help.  Use heat to promote circulation and help to relieve sore joints.  Use ice to reduce inflammation and joint swelling.  Light stretching in the early morning will increase mobility, and decrease joint stiffness.  If the problem persists or seems to be getting worse have it checked by a Chiropractor or other physician, it may be more serious than originally thought.

 

 

 

Q. What treatment is best for me?

 

 

A.  Once you are properly diagnosed with Osteoarthritis (aka; degenerative joint disease), the most common treatments are as follows:

 

 

 

·       Chiropractic adjustments – Fixes the alignment of bones, restores normal motion to joint and reduces future “wear and tear”.  This significantly helps with pain and inflammation.

 

·       Physical Therapy – The type of P.T. will depend on the type of arthritis and which joints are being affected. 

 

·       Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) – ie. ibuprofen

 

·       Pain medications (Tylenol, Advil, & narcotics)

 

·       Arthroscopic surgery – for advanced cases where other treatment options are NOT effective.

 

 

 

None of the above treatments are used to reverse the effects of arthritis.  They are simply used to decrease symptoms and reduce the amount of further damage. 

 

 

 

This article does NOT advise taking medications without an evaluation from your doctor.  Please consult with a physician before taking any medication.

 

 

 

 

 

Q. How do I prevent Arthritis?

 

 

 

A.

 

·       Don’t avoid signs and symptoms and think the problem will go away by itself. This is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.  Get it checked out!

 

·       Change your routine, posture or position to limit aches or pains in joints from repetitive activities (work, computer, hobbies, sports).

 

·        Just as extreme athletes can develop arthritis, lack of activity can also increase your chance of developing arthritis.  Exercise (not abuse) creates stronger, more flexible joints.

 

·       Maintain a healthy weight.  Being overweight increases the stress on joints that causes arthritis.

 

·       Maintain a healthy diet with lots of fruits and veggies, along with a good multi-vitamin.

 

·       Drink plenty of water

 

·       Don’t forget your annual spinal check-up with your Chiropractor. This can help identify early warning signs and delay the onset of arthritis.  Be proactive with your health!

 

 

 

Q.  What can I expect at my first visit to the Chiropractor?

 

 

 

A.  An initial visit to our office will always begin with a warm welcome.  A thorough history will be reviewed with the Doctor to determine the patient’s chief complaints, symptomatic review, and current and past health issues.  An examination will then follow, checking range of motion, muscle and bone palpation, and any necessary orthopedic or neurological tests.  X-rays will also be taken when warranted.  Before performing any treatments, we take great pride in a explaining the x-rays findings, diagnosis, and if the condition can be helped with Chiropractic care. 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are looking for an answer to your health problems

 

without the use of drugs and surgery,

 

 

 

Call Dr. Glazer for an appointment at

 

 

 

248-353-BACK (2225)

 

 

 

 

 

 During your consultation, Dr. Glazer will personally answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

 

 

 

“We’ll come in early or stay late to help you or a loved one get the relief you need. 

 

We have a special offer to assure your initial visit with us is “pain free.” Mention this article when you check in and our staff will give you a $200 New Patient Office Credit which will cover the full amount of your consultation and exam fee.”

 

Warmly,

 

Dr. Shelby Glazer 

 

 

 

The information provided in this report is provided as a public service. While the information in this report represents the most current information and the highest medical standard of practice at the time of the release of this report, no one should rely solely on the information in this report when making an important medical decision.

 

Each reader should make an appointment with a Board Certified Chiropractor to discuss your medical problems.

 

The request of this report does not create a physician-patient relationship with Dr. Glazer. A physician-patient relationship will only exist when you meet with Dr. Glazer in his office.