5 Signs That Your Arthritis Is Worsening and Needs Treatment

While one form of arthritis dominates the diagnoses of over 50 million Americans with the condition, there are over 100 types. Arthritis itself isn't a disease, but rather a category of joint disorder. 

Most people have osteoarthritis, by far the most common form of arthritis. Usually due to lifelong wear-and-tear on a joint or perhaps stemming from a joint injury, osteoarthritis is degenerative and progressive. There’s no cure and no recovery. 

At Active Care Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, we can help you slow the progression and minimize the impact of osteoarthritis as well as other forms of arthritis. Even with conditions that result in joint pain, movement is often the key to controlling inflammation and pain. 

We’ll partner with you to develop treatment strategies to preserve your quality of life even as arthritis conditions get worse. The best results often depend on early care, so we’ve prepared this list of signs that it’s time to address your worsening arthritis with our comprehensive chiropractic care. 

5 signs that your arthritis is worsening and needs treatment

Regardless of the type(s) of arthritis you have, early treatment and condition management usually produce the best prognosis and longest-lasting effects. Avoid the temptation to deal with increased pain and stiffness and seek treatment with Active Care Chiropractic & Rehabilitation when you notice one or more of these five signs. 

New joint pain

As many forms of arthritis progress, the cartilage covering the ends of bones deteriorates. In the later stages, this leads to very painful bone-on-bone contact, though milder pain begins much earlier in the process. Whenever you feel new levels of pain from an arthritic joint, it’s time to investigate a medical treatment update. 

Redness, swelling, tenderness, and warmth

Inflammation is a common symptom of many arthritic forms. It’s observable through swelling of an affected joint, which can make the area tender to touch. You could see that the area is visibly red and skin feels warmer over the joint. 

Stiffness that affects daily activities

In the early stages of arthritis, controlling pain may be all you need to get by. Mobility isn’t yet affected to the point where your ability to perform tasks at home or at work becomes compromised. Seek treatment when you find regular activities becoming more difficult or impossible to perform. 

Increased symptom frequency

Arthritis symptoms are often intermittent in the early stages. You have days that are free from pain and stiffness as well as episodes where these effects flare up. When symptoms last for three consecutive days or longer, or when you have three or more flare-ups a month, you might benefit from additional treatment. 

When arthritis symptoms affect your mood

Dealing with any chronic pain condition can take a toll on your mood and mental health. At Active Care Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, we can help reduce your pain with a variety of treatment modalities, including cold laser, physical and occupational therapy, and anti-inflammatory dietary counseling. 

Be proactive about your arthritis management. Request an appointment online or by phone with the nearest of our six locations today.