Arthritis is one of the most prevalent pain-causing conditions and the leading cause of disability. According to the CDC, one in four US adults has arthritis, which is almost 60 million Americans.

There are many different types of arthritis with various symptoms, but the most common ones are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Read on to learn about the most prevalent symptoms of these conditions and the best way to treat them.

What Are the Most Common Arthritis Symptoms?

Although there are many different arthritis types, they all share one thing: inflammation of the joints. So, these conditions can affect fingers, wrists, knees, hips, elbows, back, or neck. The most common symptoms of arthritis include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Stiffness
• Redness
• Tingling or numbness
• Fatigue

The symptoms vary from person to person, and they may be chronic or appear periodically. The symptoms are typically more intense in the mornings or after prolonged periods of inactivity. 

What Are the Common Treatments for Arthritis?

The diagnosis of arthritis requires several different approaches depending on the suspected type. You may have to undergo a physical exam, lab tests, and imaging tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for arthritis. The treatment consists of various approaches aimed at reducing pain and other symptoms. The most common ones include medications, lifestyle changes, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and surgery.

Medications

Typical medications for arthritis include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – They reduce inflammation and pain. 

• Corticosteroids – Also reduce inflammation and pain, and may slow down further degeneration of the joints. Corticosteroids can be administered via injection or pill.

• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – Used to slow down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and prevent further damage.

Counterirritants – They can block nerve signals from reaching your brain, resulting in lower perceived pain. They are usually used in the form of creams or gels.

Lifestyle Changes

You can try several things to reduce your arthritis symptoms. For instance, exercising regularly keeps your joints strong and flexible. Pick activities that don’t put too much stress on the affected joints, such as swimming.

Exercising also helps keep your weight down which is another necessary lifestyle change. Excess weight can put additional stress on your joints and increase the intensity of symptoms. In addition to regular activity, you should also make adjustments to your diet. Doing this will help keep the weight off and ensure you are consuming enough vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, and other important minerals for joint health.

Other pain relief methods such as heat and cold therapy also deserve mention, as they are pretty effective for some people. 

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can improve the range of motion of your affected joints and strengthen the surrounding muscles. As a result, you may feel less pain and stiffness.

Surgery

Surgery is usually the last resort if nothing else seems to help. Doctors can suggest it to improve joint function, fix deformities, and even replace the damaged joint with an artificial one. However, they’ll do it only when they’ve exhausted all conservative treatment measures.

So, What’s the Best Treatment for Arthritis?

There is no best treatment for arthritis, and managing pain and other symptoms often requires several approaches. That’s why chiropractic care is an excellent option because it can offer adjustments that address pain and swelling and utilizes other measures to limit the effects of this chronic condition. 

Click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeff Pruski at the Joint & Spine Center. Treating people with arthritis is his expertise, which is why he can help you limit the pain and other symptoms caused by arthritis.