Arthritis Care at Mills Chiropractic & Wellness Center

Man on benchIt’s painful and prevalent. According to the Arthritis Foundation®, “More than 50 million adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis.” The primary symptoms of arthritis are pain, swelling, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Dr. Mills decided to specialize in arthritis care at Mills Chiropractic & Wellness Center because he’s interested in neurology, biomechanics and immune and inflammatory pathways in the functional medicine world.

Taking a Three-pronged View

We consider three approaches to arthritis care:

  • Biomechanical – This method looks at the biomechanics of a patient to determine whether chiropractic or rehabilitation is the best approach.
  • Inflammatory – If the arthritis is inflammatory, we’ll take a functional medicine approach and look at blood chemistry to try to reduce inflammation.
  • Neurological – Most arthritis research is pointing to the neurological side of this joint disorder. In these cases, a person loses perception where the joint and space are that lead to the joints jamming into each other. Degeneration or inflammation in the area often results. Rehabilitation through the neurological pathways will be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does care for arthritis at your practice differ from conventional medical treatments?

Our approach differs from the very beginning. Rather than waiting and watching for arthritic conditions to progress or worsen to the point of requiring intervention, our approach first looks to identify and address potential biomechanical, chemical, and lifestyle dysfunctions prior to arthritis even starting. We keep joints moving properly and coach in anti-inflammatory lifestyles from the beginning to prevent arthritis from ever becoming an issue.

If arthritis has developed, we look to identify and address the underlying factors leading to the issue. Whether that’s dysfunction in the joint itself, other areas of dysfunction in the body affecting the joint, or inflammatory processes in the body creating pain in the joint. We don’t “wait and see” until arthritic changes become painful and limits your life. Our approach takes a holistic view of identifying the underlying causes of the condition rather than focusing solely on the eventual outcome.

Are there specific chiropractic techniques or modalities that are particularly effective for arthritis?

We utilize a variety of techniques and therapies that are tailored specifically to each patient’s needs, especially patients suffering with arthritic pain. We have a lot of tools in our toolbox to get you back to the life you love! The most common modalities used for arthritic patients include…

  • Low force adjusting techniques such as the Activator Method or the Sigma Pro Adjuster
  • Disc-focused treatment approaches
  • Myofascial therapy
  • Low Level Laser Therapy (Cold Laser Therapy)
  • Nutritional counseling
  • Functional medicine
  • Acupuncture
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation

How does cold laser therapy benefit arthritis patients, and what is its role in treatment plans?

The greatest benefit the cold laser can offer arthritis patients is improved healing. Unlike many medications which treat arthritis symptoms, the cold laser treats arthritis at the source. It increases circulation around the joint, decreases inflammation, reduces swelling, and increases cellular healing inside the joint. That also translates to less pain, better function, and more life for the patient!

How does acupuncture help alleviate arthritis pain, and what are its advantages in arthritis treatment?

Acupuncture is one of the many options we have for helping reduce pain associated with arthritis. This can allow not only for the reduction of medication being used, but can also assist in recovery by allowing more pain-free movement. Better movement can assist in the recovery of the arthritic joint, but can also reduce body compensations that could cause arthritis in additional areas.

Can your treatment protocol help relieve my arthritis pain?

While we can never guarantee results, our holistic approach has helped hundreds of people get their lives back. After a thorough evaluation to identify the root cause of the problem, we will present any treatment options we have to offer so you can make an informed decision. However, we are not hesitant to discuss options outside of our office, and partner with the other members of your healthcare team. Our ultimate goal is for each patient to experience the best health possible.

Our Approach to Treatment

Not two patients’ care plans will be exactly alike. For all patients, the first part of care is concerned with restoring some joint mobility and range of motion and reducing pain and discomfort. After that, it depends on the biomechanics or the chemistry side of it.

We’ll look at whether we’re going after the underlying biomechanical problem that led to arthritis. Perhaps arthritis is an ongoing issue that needs to be assessed. If it’s an inflammatory process, we can consider dietary supplements that may be beneficial. When addressing the neurological side, we provide some specific neurological rehabilitation that would be done primarily outside of the office.

Cold laser and acupuncture are other forms of treatment that we provide at the practice to help with arthritis pain.

Whether you are seeking pain relief or looking to get to the core of your arthritis, we want to help you. Contact us today to book an appointment!
CONTACT US

Arthritis Care Olathe KS | (913) 764-5900