Defeating Arthritis Pain and Suffering

Arthritis pain and suffering is a serious epidemic that affects millions of Americans.  It's a condition that affects more than 46 million U.S. adults - and the number is expected to increase to 67 million by 2030. No matter the type, the pain can be debilitating and affect an individual’s overall function, preventing them from doing the things in life they enjoy most.   

There are many different forms of arthritis.  The two major types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, which is the "wear-and-tear" type of arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory arthritis that happens when the body's immune system does not work properly.  Gout - caused by crystals that collect in the joints - is another type of arthritis that can be extremely painful. Psoriatic arthritis, lupus, and septic arthritis are other types.  All in all, any type of arthritis can cause pain and suffering. 

The question behind all types of arthritis that we need to ask is WHY?  Why do joints become inflamed?  For all those who suffer with arthritis, it is important to understand why this occurs.  Much false information leads us to believe arthritis is an aging process that can’t be stopped: Once you are inflicted, you are doomed for the rest of your life.  I do not agree as I have seen many people defeat arthritis pain naturally. 

Once you understand arthritis, you may look at it differently and explore others options available to you, outside of medication.  Let’s first breakdown the term “arthritis”.  “Arth” means joint and “itis” means inflammation.  Simply put, you have joints that are inflamed.  Any inflamed joint will cause pain. 

What we really need to understand is the WHY? The problem we have today is that arthritis is associated with… yes, you guessed right...AGE!  If you accept arthritis as an aging process, then you are accepting the pain and problem for the rest of your life.  What you really need ask is why are my joints inflamed?

An Aging Problem?

Over the last 10 years in practice, I've evaluated over thousands of x-rays. I have found that the age in which we are seeing arthritis is getting younger.  Let’s discuss arthritis as the aging problem some would have us believe.  Here is an example related to a 65-year-old female with osteoarthritis.  I look at the x-rays of her lower back and see that the patient has osteoarthritis in her spine, which is characterized by disc degeneration and bones spurs.  However, out of the five bones in her lower spine, the degeneration is seen only in the lower two bones.   

Clinically, this woman complains of stiffness, lower back pain and difficulty walking.  Her doctor has told her she has arthritis in her lower back.  My question is if only two of the five bones in the spine are affected, is it truly an aging problem?  How old are the other three bones that show no signs of arthritis?  That’s right, they are the same age. 

If this were an aging problem, all the bones of her spine would be affected. We can apply the same logic to someone who has arthritis in only one knee or hip.  Yes, it may very well be joint inflammation (arthritis). But if you have it in only one knee and think it is an aging problem, have you ever thought about how old your other knee is. 

We are seeing more joint replacements take place than ever before in history.  More people are taking anti-inflammatory drugs and pain meds for arthritis type pains than ever before.  Drugs cover up symptoms and do not address the problem causing the inflammation.  On a side note, chronic use of NSAIDs may impair liver and kidney function as well.  We need to take a deeper look into this epidemic and understand the problem and not just the pain.

I would like to invite you to our upcoming workshop on arthritis and share with you the true causes of this debilitating condition and the simple drugless steps you can take to control the pain and inflammation. Once you understand what is fueling the inflammation, your pain and inflammation will become a thing of the past.  Come join us and learn how to defeat arthritis pain naturally.  Seating is limited to 25 participants.  The workshop will be held at Panera Bread in Rocky River on October 22 at 7:15 p.m.  Call our office at 440-331-4744 to register.

Bryan Ruocco

Dr. Bryan Ruocco is a local chiropractor and wellness advocate. He owns and operates the Power of LIFE Wellness Center located in Rocky River. Dr. Ruocco graduated from the Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, GA. He graduated in the top of his class and received Magna Cum Laude Honors.

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Volume 2, Issue 4, Posted 9:26 AM, 10.02.2014