Arthritis is an extremely common condition that causes pain and inflammation in the joints of the body. Research estimates that around 24% of all adults in the United States suffer from this inflammatory disease. Despite being best known simply as ‘arthritis’, there are actually more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions. And although not life-threatening, it can be severe enough to affect your quality of life.

Arthritis can affect any joint in the body, but it is particularly prevalent in the hands. Arthritis of the hands most often affects the wrist, the joint at the base of the thumb, and the middle and top finger joints. Unfortunately, arthritis of the hand can be quite debilitating. In fact, it can make some day-to-day activities that we would usually take for granted quite impossible – for example, turning your wrist to open a jar, holding a pen, or typing.

What Are The Symptoms of Arthritis in the Hand?

There are a variety of symptoms associated with arthritis of the hands. These include:
 

• Pain and tenderness in the joints
   

• Stiffness in the affected joints
   

• A creaking or cracking sound when you move the joints
   

• Limited range of motion in your wrists/fingers/thumb
   

• Joints appearing larger/knobbly
   

• Cysts developing on the back of your fingers

These symptoms may come and go or be persistent. They may also get worse if you perform repeated movements, or during the winter months when it gets colder.

Can Visiting a Chiropractor Help Relieve Arthritis in my Hands?

Unfortunately, there isn’t currently a cure for arthritis. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything that you can do to relieve your symptoms – far from it. Visiting a chiropractor is a great place to start.

Chiropractors are trained professionals who specialize in disorders affecting the musculoskeletal network of bones, muscles, and connective tissues. This makes them the best professionals for helping to treat arthritis in any part of the body, including the hands.

Exercise is one of the most important treatments for people suffering from arthritis since it helps to keep joints active, builds muscle, and strengthens the affected joints – all of which can help to reduce pain and stiffness that makes day-to-day life harder than it needs to be. Chiropractic treatment focuses on manipulation and movement of the affected area – in this case, the hands – in order to relieve your symptoms.

Some of the other ways in which chiropractic treatment can help with hand and wrist arthritis include:
 

• Improving bone alignment. There are eight bones in the wrist and many more in the main part of the hands, and at any point, even a small trauma can knock these out of alignment. It only takes just one misaligned bone to cause a whole raft of negative effects.
   

• Natural pain relief. Arthritis is a very painful and debilitating condition. However, chiropractic adjustments prompt the release of natural, pain-relieving endorphins and increased blood flow that could reduce your need to take pain medications. This boosted circulation will also help to counteract inflammation which will further reduce the discomfort that you are experiencing.
   

• Improved range of motion. Regular chiropractic adjustments will help keep the joints active, minimizing inflammation and stiffness and ensuring that you keep the greatest range of motion possible.
  
   

If you would like more information about how chiropractic care can relieve arthritis in your hands, visit M Powered Chiropractic in Georgetown, Texas. Call (512) 548-4355 today.