Inflammatory arthritis causes three known autoimmune disorders: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Lupus (SLE), and psoriatic arthritis.
With these disorders, white blood cells in your immune system attack your joints, causing swelling, irritation, and joint pain.
Some people with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus also develop damage to their internal organs. Psoriatic arthritis patients frequently experience issues with their skin, eyes, nerves, and blood vessels.
Since there is no known cure for these chronic diseases, treatment involves symptom management. Dr. Cody Doyle can help ease your symptoms with alternative, holistic methods, such as chiropractic care and acupuncture. He is passionate about helping you manage your pain, swelling, and irritation so you can live a healthy, fulfilling life.
What Causes Inflammatory Arthritis?
Inflammatory arthritis affects nearly two million people in the United States and is more frequently diagnosed in women. Although the exact cause is unknown, studies link it to genetics, stress, poor nutrition, hormone imbalances, and exposure to environmental toxins.
These autoimmune disorders occur when your body’s immune system attacks healthy cells, bones, and soft tissues. This is different from other types of arthritis, such as reactive arthritis, which is triggered by infection in the body.
When the synovium (the lining surrounding your joints) become involved, it thickens and damages the bones and cartilage within the joint. When this occurs, the surrounding tissues weaken, and the joint eventually loses its shape and moves out of alignment.
Signs and Symptoms
The side effects of inflammatory arthritis can cause many symptoms, such as joint damage, skin issues, and organ damage.
Below are the common symptoms associated with these autoimmune diseases:
- Painful, tender, or swollen joints
- Joints warm to the touch
- Muscle and joint stiffness, especially morning stiffness
- Joint deformity
- Restricted range of motion
- Limping and difficulty walking
- Trouble gripping objects
- Skin rashes
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Eye inflammation
Treatments for Inflammatory Arthritis
Dr. Doyle provides a variety of treatment options to help ease your discomfort, reduce inflammation, and improve your range of motion. Some patients find improvement with just one treatment option, while others require aggressive treatment with a combination of treatments.
Your customized treatment plan will depend on your unique symptoms, desires, and goals.
- Common forms of treatment include:
- Ultrasound:
This treatment delivers deep heat to the muscles and tissues surrounding your joints to reduce inflammation and muscle pain. With time, it can also improve your range of motion.
Physical activity keeps your muscles strong to help your joints, ligaments, and tendons maintain their shape. It can also help you maintain a healthy body weight and improve your range of motion.
This holistic approach involves the use of tiny needles placed into strategic acupuncture points along your body. This stimulates the underlying nerves and tissues and improves blood flow to the muscles, joints, and surrounding tissues. The result is reduced swelling and irritation throughout the body. It also triggers the brain to release endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers.
Together, these treatments keep your joints in proper alignment and improve your flexibility and function. Dr. Doyle will use hands-on and mechanical techniques to manipulate your joints and release tension in the surrounding muscles. This reduces pain and promotes overall wellness.
- Nutritional and Herbal Therapies:
After a thorough examination, Dr. Doyle will discuss your medical history, medications, stress levels, and diet. He will then create a nutritional plan that may include a diet change, vitamins, and herbs. This plan will help ease symptoms, improve your health, and reduce stress.
Are you experiencing joint pain?
Dr. Doyle believes early diagnosis is key in reducing symptoms. If you experience joint pain or have been diagnosed with arthritis, alternative medicine can help with holistic, natural treatments.
At Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture, we care for patients in the Roanoke, Trophy Club, Grapevine, Southlake, Justin, Argyle, and Keller areas.
Call (817) 767-5430 today to schedule your consultation appointment with Dr. Doyle.