4 Alternative Treatments For Arthritis

Although medication and surgery are options for treating arthritis, non-surgical options are available that can help alleviate the symptoms of the condition. Your doctor could rely on a combination of those treatments. Here are some of the possible treatments your doctor could recommend.

Chiropractic Care

Adjustments performed by an experienced chiropractor can help to relieve the pressure that is sometimes placed on your nerves as a result of arthritis. In addition to pain relief, the adjustments can help restore range of motion and improve strength. The increase in strength helps to keep your symptoms at bay longer.

Chiropractic care can also be psychologically beneficial. Arthritis can sometimes lead to feelings of stress and depression. Regular adjustments can help with relieving tension and stress, which means a reduction in negative psychological conditions. 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture works by helping to release endorphins throughout the body. Endorphins are hormones that can help with alleviating pain and offer a natural boost to your mood. There is some medical research to backup the belief that acupuncture can help. In one study, acupuncture was combined with electroacupuncture to help reduce the tenderness that is caused by arthritis. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy involves helping you to recognize negative thinking so that you can use techniques to think more positively.  The benefits of the therapy is not limited to mental health. It has been used to treat chronic conditions, such as arthritis. 

The pain that is caused by stress can trigger feelings of stress, which can make your pain symptoms more pronounced. Cognitive behavioral therapy works to keep your stress levels down and avoid the worsened pain symptoms. When combined with other treatment options, occurrences of pain can be reduced.

Hot and Cold Therapy

One of the most inexpensive methods of treating arthritis is hot and cold therapy. Heat helps to reduce swelling in the joints and improves blood circulation, which can mean helpful nutrients reaching more areas of your body. Cold therapy helps to slow circulation and alleviate pain. Heat and cold can be used alternatively in the home. Before using hot and cold therapy, talk to your doctor to determine a recommended schedule for applying heat and cold. 

There are many other types of non-medicinal and non-surgical methods of treating arthritis. In addition to working with your family doctor, consult with a chiropractor, Summit Chiropractic, to learn how you can feel better without resorting to the use of medication or surgery.

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