Why Are My Joints So Stiff?

Stiff joints are a problem nearly everyone will experience at some point as they age. Interestingly enough, they are not always caused by the same underlying problem. How can you tell whether your stiff joints are something that requires treatment? Should you try to exercise your stiff joints more or less to make them work better? Below are several possible causes of stiff joints.

If your stiff joints are starting to slow down your active lifestyle, visit Argyle TX chiropractor Dr. Cody Doyle. Call us at 817-767-5430 to make an appointment. We carefully assess your unique symptoms and employ many treatment options to help you recover flexibility and comfort.

The Natural Result of Aging

As we age, our cartilage becomes drier and less flexible. Our bodies also stop making as much synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant to keep your joints flexible. If your joint stiffness is caused by age, the best way to deal with it is to keep using the affected joints as much as possible, since movement helps keep the joint healthy.

Morning Joint Stiffness

When you are still for long periods of time, your synovial fluid can’t do its job properly. That’s why you might notice feeling a bit like the Tin Man when you first wake up in the morning. This is perfectly natural and not cause for alarm. Morning joint stiffness should go away slowly once you get moving again.

Changes in Barometric Pressure

It may seem like an old-wives tale that you can feel an imminent change in weather “in your bones.” However, many people can feel a drop in barometric pressure in their joints. This type of drop usually happens just before a low-pressure weather system, such as storm. If you feel bodily changes just before a storm, this does not necessarily mean you need treatment, but it may help you know which joints you should keep an eye on for future treatment.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative arthritis, often develops at a number of places on our bodies where two bones meet: the knees, the elbows, the wrist. These joints get used over and over, and eventually the flexible cartilage at the ends of the bones starts to wear away. When the cartilage is gone, the bones rub against each other, and this can cause pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. If osteoarthritis is the cause of your stiff joints, visit Argyle TX chiropractor Dr. Cody Doyle and ask which treatments might help you preserve your cartilage and keep yourself flexible and functional.

Joint Injury from Overuse

If you are a very active person who is experiencing stiffness in a joint that you use regularly, you may have injured the joint by overusing it. Bursitis and tendonitis are very common among athletes but there are treatments that can help you take better care of your joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Other Less-Common Types of Arthritis

Another form of arthritis can occur when your immune system attacks the synovial fluid of your joint. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the hands and wrists, but can attack any joint in your body and cause pain and stiffness. If your joints are stiff and inflamed, ask your doctor whether your symptoms sound more like RA or OA, as the treatments for these types of arthritis are not the same.

There are a few other forms of arthritis that can cause stiff joints, including: psoriatic arthritis, infectious arthritis, ankylosing arthritis, and gout. These conditions have very different treatments than RA or OA, so visit your doctor if you notice unusual pain and stiffness anywhere in your body.

Treatment for Joint Pain and Stiffness with an Argyle TX Chiropractor

If you experience stiff joints, visit Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture for an evaluation. Whether your problems are caused by degenerative arthritis, injury, or just the normal processes of aging—he can help you understand your condition and work on healing it. Some joints do better with exercise and physical therapy, while others require targeted treatments aimed to help your body function better and heal itself.

Visit Argyle TX chiropractor Dr. Cody Doyle and we’ll help you reduce your joint stiffness and pain. Call us at 817-767-5430 to schedule a consultation.