While the brain is the single most complex organ in the human body, the joints can be considered the most complex structure. When you consider all of the intricate moving parts to any given joint, as well as the surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments, the intricate mechanics involved in joint movement are clear.

As often happens with any mechanism, the more parts and movements that are involved, the greater the risk of a breakdown. Unfortunately, the joints in your body are no exception. In fact, next to back or neck pain, joint pain due to inflammation is one of the most common reasons that patients come to see a chiropractor.

Luckily, there are several ways in which Dr. Nathen Horst can help treat pain and stiffness related to joint inflammation. Read further to see what can cause inflammation, as well as how chiropractic care can help your joints move more easily.

What Causes Joint Inflammation?

Under normal circumstances, inflammation is a natural part of the body’s immune response to injury or illness. Damaged cells leak chemicals that cause surrounding blood vessels to send fluid into the tissue around the affected area, causing swelling.

This isolates any foreign substance from surrounding healthy tissue. Once the body has healed itself, the inflammation should subside. Unfortunately, the body may not know to turn off the acute inflammation response, so it may instead turn against healthy tissue, thus becoming chronic.

While chronic inflammation can manifest in a number of ways, including allergies, asthma, or inflammatory bowel disease, the most common form of chronic joint inflammation is rheumatoid arthritis.

Chiropractic Care

There are several different types of treatment that Dr. Horst can use to help treat joint inflammation. Below are some of the more common treatments he may recommend:

• Chiropractic adjustments: Adjustments are the keystone to any chiropractic treatment. They are based upon the concept that any injury or illness in the body is related to improper signaling of the nerves between the brain and various parts of the body. If this signaling is somehow impaired, the nerves cannot properly communicate with the brain, which can lead to pain and stiffness as a result of chronic inflammation. An adjustment to the affected joint will reduce any pressure on the nerves in the area, allowing for proper signaling to and from the brain.
• Stretching exercises: The chiropractic adjustment is not a “one and done” type of treatment. Over time, the inflammation may return. This is why Dr. Horst may give you certain types of stretching exercises that are designed to help keep your joints mobile, which will hold them in their proper position for a longer period of time between chiropractic adjustments. Yoga and Pilates may also help keep your joints active.
• Diet: Did you know that certain foods can actually make your joint inflammation worse? Foods that are highly processed, or high in sugar or fat can make your joints hurt even more. This is why Dr. Horst advises patients with chronic inflammation to follow an anti-inflammation diet, which is high in fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.

Aching, inflamed joints can prevent you from playing sports and engaging in other activities that you love. Fortunately, a good chiropractic care plan that includes regular adjustments, stretching, and an anti-inflammatory diet can get you back into the swing of things.