Arthritis, wear and tear, too many birthdays syndrome, spondylitis – these may be some of the words you have heard before to describe your pain.
When it comes to arthritis there are so many myths and old wives tales about what really happens and how you can help yourself – here at Advanced Chiropractic we thought we would go through some of the more popular myths and tell you the truth!
Myth number 1 – Arthritis is always the same
Compare this to a statement about cake – “cake is always the same”. This would mean chocolate sponge cake is exactly the same as lemon drizzle, even though they are entirely different in ingredients and taste. There are 100’s of different forms of arthritis (just like there are 100’s of different cake receipes)! It could be gout, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthris or virus caused arthritis. This means before you stock up on supplements you should stop and consult your chiropractor – managing arthritis cannot start until you know what type you have. The best course of action is to get a clear diagnosis, this is exactly what happens during your new patient appointment.
Myth number 2 – I can’t exercise
This can be the biggest and most damaging myth of them all. Inactivity can cause the joints to deteriorate quicker and the muscles to loose their strength – making you feel worse in the long run. Low impact exercises which concentrate on enhancing movement through your joints such as swimming, water aerobics, tai chi, pilates or walking are great options. At Advanced Chiropractic our chiropractors are trained in exercise rehabilitation and will advise you on appropriate exercises to help you feel great and combat your arthritis pain!
Myth number 3 – My diet does not affect my arthritis
Diet and overall health has a direct effect on your arthritis. Your general well being is very important if you want to manage your arthritis. Unfortunately there is no miracle diet for arthritis but there are a few tips which may help…
- Increase food rich in omega 3 fatty acids such as oily fish
- Drink 2 litres of water a day
- Avoid excess of inflammatory foods such as deep fried foods, dairy products and processed meats
- Pile in the veggies
- Cut down on the booze
Myth number 4 – Chiropractic can’t help
In most cases there is no cure for arthritis. But there are ways of making you feel and move better. Chiropractic is concerned with restoring your bodies natural ability to move and function. We help the joints move to the best of their ability, decrease any spasm or tension in your muscles and help you build your strength with prescribed exercises, all of which can make you feel and move better.
Our chiropractors at Advanced Chiropractic are trained in many different techniques so that we can help you and your specific condition. For more information please do not hesitate to contact us.
