Chiropractors offer several adjunctive therapies that can help treat arthritis. Ultrasound: Many think of ultrasound as imaging technology, but when applied to soft tissues and joints, sound waves can also produce a massaging effect that helps reduce swelling and decrease pain and stiffness.

Electrotherapy: These tiny electric pulses are not painful. They treat soft tissue injuries by stimulating nerves and muscles.

Low-level laser or “cold laser”: This technique uses a non-heat-producing laser or light that penetrates deep into the tissue, sometimes reducing inflammation.

Infrared heat: Imagine having a hot compress warm up your joints from the inside. This therapy uses controlled amounts of internal heat to relieve pain and increase circulation. Even if they never touch your arthritic joint, David Feschuk, DC, a chiropractor in Stone Mountain, Georgia says, treating the surrounding tissues may significantly reduce overall pain. “If someone is having a flare in a knee that is causing him to walk awkwardly, it may lead to a secondary pain syndrome in the lower back. I would not adjust an inflamed joint, but if I adjust the pelvis I may be able to reduce overall pain by 4 to 5 units on the 1-to-10 pain scale and make daily living activities easier.” Half the battle with arthritic joints is controlling inflammation, while the other half is promoting mobility and flexibility. Chiropractic care can help with both!

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com.