What Is Arthritis?

There are over 100 types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. The word "arthritis" means "joint inflammation." Inflammation is one of the body's natural reactions to disease or injury, and includes swelling, pain, and stiffness. Inflammation that lasts for a very long time or recurs, as in arthritis, can lead to tissue damage.

A joint is where two or more bones come together, such as the hip or knee. The bones of a joint are covered with a smooth, spongy material called cartilage, which cushions the bones and allows the joint to move without pain. The joint is lined by a thin film of tissue called the synovium. The synovium's lining produces a slippery fluid called synovial fluid that nourishes the joint and helps reduce friction. Strong bands of tissue, called ligaments, connect the bones and help keep the joint stable. Muscles and tendons also support the joints and enable you to move.

With arthritis, an area in or around a joint becomes inflamed, causing pain, stiffness and, sometimes, difficulty moving. Some types of arthritis also affect other parts of the body, such as the skin and internal organs.

What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis? Different types of arthritis have different symptoms and the symptoms vary in severity from person to person. Osteoarthritis does not generally cause any symptoms outside the joint. Symptoms of other types of arthritis may include fatigue, fever, a rash and the signs of joint inflammation, including :Pain Swelling Stiffness Tenderness Redness Warmth.

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Arthritis Testimonies

A 52-year-old female presented with low back pain, bilateral hip pain, and blood pressure-measuring 160/105 (High). She had a ¾” functional short right leg. After an upper cervical adjustment her muscle tone immediately relaxed, lower back and hip pain resolved and blood pressure dropped to normal.

A 72-year-old patient had rheumatoid arthritis. She waddled into the office of the hard nodules in her feet caused by the rheumatoid caused her pain. Almost immediately after her adjustment she could walk normally and was re-x-rayed by her rheumatologist and was told that the hard nodules had actually decreased in size!