DR. BRAADT’S WELLNESS COLUMN Arthritis
I was told I have arthritis. What’s next? People are often diagnosed with arthritis and told that nothing can be done about it. You can only take drugs for the pain, get injections in your knee, hip, or spine, and learn to live with it until you cannot tolerate the pain anymore and the joint can be replaced with surgery. It’s like watching a cavity rot your tooth until you can’t tolerate the pain anymore and then pulling your tooth. Well, that’s not very encouraging. What drives most patients to chiropractic care is spinal pain. There is a public perception of chiropractors as “back doctors.” This is true, as most research demonstrates that chiropractic care is more efficient, costs less, produces higher patient satisfaction, is safer, and generally helps keep patients out of surgery. However, what about the knee, hip, shoulder, or other joints affected by arthritis? In our office, my training allows me to evaluate any joint and to give you a safe, conservative treatment option to drugs and surgery. A doctor of chiropractic (like a doctor of dentistry) requires eight years of formal education. I’ve invested an additional three years in a board certification program in orthopedics (a
Their safety is in question, especially if you must take them for the rest of your life. Chiropractic care is MECHANICAL. We’re the only MECHANICS in health care. That’s what makes chiropractors SPINE SPECIALISTS. Arthritis is mechanical wear and tear, like losing the tread on your tires — THAT’S ARTHRITIS OF THE TIRES . Common medical treatment is CHEMICAL care. Chemical care can save lives. For example, you don’t go to a chiropractor with a heart attack. You immediately go to a hospital and they’ll save your life, and that’s a miracle. Chiropractors are not anti-drug. However, according to the journal Lancet, Americans consume up to 190% more prescription drugs compared to Canada, France, and Germany. This 2017 study ranked the U.S. 24th in overall health out of 190 countries studied. The best countries in terms of health care were Singapore, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. The most common treatment in orthopedics for joint pain is steroidal injection. The American Academy of Neurology stated recently that spinal epidural injections may cause some small, temporary improvement, but there’s no meaningful impact beyond three months. It was stated further that the evidence was insufficient to even
need for surgery and joint replacement. The study concluded that there is no pharmaceutical treatment for osteoarthritis other than temporary pain relief. So, what’s a person to do? • If you’re dealing with arthritis affecting your joints, like your knee, foot, shoulder or hip, let me know at your next office visit. Or, if you haven’t seen me within the past year, call to schedule an evaluation. We also have gift certificates for you to share with someone in need. • Lifestyle changes , done on a gradient, are vital, including diet, weight loss, exercise, and changes in daily harmful habits. shoulder, and especially the spine can stop the wear, tear, and grinding that results in osteoarthritis. Joint supplements, especially from standard process supplementation (whole food supplements) are very helpful to reduce inflammation safely and aid in joint repair. • Adjustments to the knee, hip,
We also have an electromagnetic device developed in Germany called BEMER.
study of joints and muscles). I also have an additional year of board certification in rehabilitation. This allows me to treat you without using
support their use in clinical practice. Side effects studied included liver damage, kidney disease, heart attack and stroke, weight gain, and uncontrolled blood sugar. A recent study at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center found that steroid injections for osteoarthritis may do more harm than good and are not as safe as generally thought. The study found that the shots may accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis and potentially hasten the
• The BEMER treatment is safe, painless, and has no side effects. • Oxygen is driven into all the cells of the body and toxins are removed. This reduces swelling and pain.
drugs, injections, and surgery for joint pain.
Common medical treatment for an arthritic spine or any other arthritic joint is chemical care using drugs. A quick Google search on the side effects of any long-term use of the most common drugs, including steroids (strong anti- inflammatory drugs), will give you second thoughts.
• Circulation is increased to all body parts, including to your painful joints.
• The extra oxygen also reduces fatigue.
In our office, we can provide you with safe and effective alternatives to drugs and surgery for arthritis. As always, we’re here to help you get healthy and stay that way! –Dr. Paul Braadt
CedarCrestChiropractic.com
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610-776-2005
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