Arthritis Doctor Mesa AZ



Arthritis Doctor Mesa AZArthritis Doctor Mesa AZ

The preconceptions surrounding chiropractic care are legendary. For those who have seen a Mesa chiropractor or Mesa, Arizona arthritis doctor, the advantages are usually clear.

For those who have never been to a chiropractor or arthritis doctor in Mesa, however, there are a long list of fears and incorrect ideas.  Unfortunately, many physicians outside of chiropractic share the same fears and misconceptions.  If these erroneous thoughts were non-existent, I personally think the musculoskeletal health of this country (and globally) would be in a much better state.

One of these misconceptions deals with chiropractic care being useful only for acute, non-specific low back pain.  Neck pain, disc injuries, arthritis of the spine, knee pain, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel—none of these are on the list of generally acceptable conditions that chiropractic can treat.  However, these conditions and more are seen quite commonly in our office.

There is research on the effectiveness of chiropractic care with a Mesa, AZ arthritis doctor for some of these conditions, but it is usually limited to manipulation only, yet many musculoskeletal conditions have a pretty significant soft tissue component to can’t be addressed with joint manipulation.

So anytime I see a study that shows a positive effect with manipulation alone, I can feel confident that, which the addition of competent soft tissue work, the outcomes in real life (outside of a research study) are going to be pretty darn good.

All of this leads me to this particular study.  In it, researchers looked at 40 men who had been diagnosed with degenerative lumbar disease at L5-S1.  These men were divided into an adjustment group, who only received a single adjustment (L5-S1 “pull move”) or into a control group with no treatment.  They were then evaluated for various outcomes, including:

  • Participants’ height using a stadiometer (that height bar thingee on your doctor’s scale)
  • Perceived low back pain (measured using a a10 point VAS scale)
  • Neural mechanosensitivity (how much tension was in the nerves using a passive straight-leg raise
  • The amount of spinal mobility in flexion (measured using the finger-to-floor distance test)

If you understand chiropractic care with a skilled Mesa, AZ arthritis doctor, you will not be surprised to find that all of these measurements were improved in the chiropractic treatment group over the placebo group.

It would be easy for detractors to say that this was a single treatment that really doesn’t mean anything long-term.  The easy response to this would be to ask what medical treatment for degenerative disc disease is anything other them temporary?  And how many of these have a very small list of only minor side effects?

The answer is, of course, none of them.  Even if chiropractic care provided no long-term benefit in this situation, if you suffer from chronic low back pain, even a single days’ relief is valuable.  And none of this looks into whether or not a course of chiropractic care from a Mesa, AZ arthritis doctor can have more long-lasting effects, but I can tell you from personal experience that the results can be very strong.

So if this fits you and you have not been to a arthritis doctor in Mesa, AZ what are you waiting for?

What can I expect during my first visit to an arthritis doctor?

If you are planning to visit an arthritis doctor in Mesa, AZ from LifeCare Chiropractic, you can feel peace of mind in knowing that you are on the right path towards feeling better. According to research, the sooner you are treated for arthritis, the more likely you will feel less pain and able to stay active longer.

What is an Arthritis Doctor?

An arthritis doctor is also known as a rheumatologist and is a type of internalist or pediatrician. They have focused their career on arthritis, which is an umbrella term for a medical condition that affects the joints, muscles, and bones. Conditions treated by a Mesa, AZ arthritis doctor may include:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Gout
  • Chronic joint pain
  • Chronic back pain
  • Lupus
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Tendinitis

During your first visit with an arthritis doctor Mesa, AZ has to offer, you can expect a thorough conversation about your symptoms and medical history followed by an examination. The appointment can take one hour or more, depending on your needs.

Questions that May be Asked By Your Arthritis Doctor in Mesa, AZ

Your arthritis doctor in Mesa, AZ may begin your appointment by asking you what brings you to see him or her. You will then have the opportunity to explain how your arthritis is affecting your daily life.

  • What symptoms are you experiencing?
  • How often are you having these symptoms?
  • Is there anything you do that helps you to feel better or worse?
  • Are there any specific activities that cause you pain?
  • Where and how bad is your pain?
  • Can you describe your pain?
  • When you feel the pain, do you get sick, tired, angry, etc.?
  • Are your symptoms hindering your ability to enjoy life?
  • Do you have any other symptoms like dry mouth, headaches, fevers, etc.?

Even if you feel like these questions are not relevant, there is a reason for your Mesa arthritis doctor to be asking them. Do your best to answer them; afterwhich, you may want to proceed with your own questions.

The Exam

Your physical exam may include:

  • A head to toe check
  • Looking for signs of inflammation
  • Checking of the pulse
  • Listening to the heart and lungs
  • Application of pressure to the joints

You may also be asked to extend, flex, bend, and stretch your joints. The doctor may compare your joints on each side of the body. This is an important part of the exam and will help the doctor to see how you move.

Tests that May Be Ordered By the Doctor

Depending on your exam, your arthritis doctor in Mesa, AZ may order various tests including:

  • Blood tests
  • Urine tests
  • Joint fluid tests
  • MRIs
  • Ultrasounds
  • X-rays

Once the above is completed, your arthritis doctor should have enough information to decide on the next best steps to take. These may include medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, holistic therapy, and chiropractic care.

Why do your joints pop when you get adjustments for arthritis treatment in Mesa, Arizona? Some people love the sound, while others find it a bit worrying. Regardless, the cracking or popping sound you hear when you receive an arthritis treatment is nothing to be concerned about.

Joint Cavitation Is the Technical Term

The sound you hear during an arthritis treatment at our Mesa, AZ clinic is called joint cavitation. That’s just a technical way of saying a bubble is created in the joint fluid as it’s moved, and then it rapidly collapses.

This is associated with the joints involved in the adjustment moving, of course, but the loudness or quality of the sound doesn’t matter. It’s affected by a number of factors, none of which have much to do with the effectiveness of the arthritis treatment.

The adjustment itself is the manipulation of the joints to increase range of motion, circulation, and other factors. The joint space tends to open up as a result of the manipulation, which promotes all of these things, along with lessening muscle tension, which is often the source of spinal and joint pain. Opening up that joint space is what can cause the cavitation. It can also promote healing and restore function to the spine or the joints in question.

The Popping Is Not Like the Sounds During Joint Injury

One potential reason for concern is that people may associate the gentle cracking or popping sound with sounds they’ve heard when a joint was injured. This may be a sound they’ve heard on the football field, or in a movie. By the way, keep in mind that movie sound effects are not always realistic. The loud crack heard when a ligament or tendon is injured is not at all like the light popping sound heard during an arthritis treatment. Mesa, AZ chiropractors are trained to use very little force during an adjustment and to keep the joint within a safe range of motion.

Previously Injured Joints May Pop or Squeak

Arthritic, previously injured, or artificial joints also sometimes make popping or squeaking noises. These noises can be due to scar tissue, wear, or other factors. Again, these sounds are different and are being caused by different mechanisms. A chiropractor can help with joints like these by providing manipulations and suggestions for exercises to strengthen the muscles around the joint. Be sure to tell your chiropractor about any previous injuries or if you have artificial joints.

That popping sound is heavily associated with arthritis treatment Mesa, AZ patients recommend, but it’s not something to worry about nor does it mean the care wasn’t effective if you don’t hear it. The important thing is to keep your spine and joints healthy with routine chiropractic care. To learn more, call Lifecare Chiropractic to schedule an appointment with a back pain doctor Mesa AZ our clinic offers.

To learn more about arthritis and how an arthritis doctor in Mesa, AZ can help you, please call LifeCare Chiropractic.

 

Client Review

“Had a great experience. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I am looking forward to seeing great results on my treatment. I’d highly recommend LifeCare chiropractic.”
Francisco C
Client Review