(801) 298-9190
Request Appointment
We cannot reverse arthritis and we will not tell you otherwise. What we can do is reduce the stiffness and pain, and help you keep the movement you have.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory arthritis, tell us before treatment. Those conditions require medical management and affect which techniques are appropriate, particularly in the neck. We will work alongside your physician rather than around them.
Osteoarthritis is the common kind, and it is essentially the cartilage that cushions a joint wearing thinner over time. As that cushion is lost, the bones move less smoothly, the joint becomes irritated, and the body responds by stiffening the area to protect it.
That protective stiffness is a large part of why arthritis feels the way it does. The joint hurts, so you move it less, so it stiffens further, so it hurts more. Breaking that cycle is where treatment does its real work.
In the spine, arthritic change usually shows up in the neck and lower back as morning stiffness, reduced range of motion, and a deep ache that improves once you get moving. In the hips and knees it tends to produce pain with weight bearing and difficulty with stairs.
Most people notice it worsens with inactivity and with weather changes, and improves with gentle movement. If that pattern sounds familiar, it is a very common presentation.
Here is the straight version. Chiropractic care does not regenerate cartilage or reverse arthritic change. Anyone telling you otherwise is overselling.
What it does well is restore motion to the joints around and above the arthritic segment, which reduces the load that segment has to carry. It releases the muscle guarding that builds up in response to pain. And it maintains the range of motion you still have, which matters enormously over time.
Technique is gentle. Arthritic joints do not respond well to force, so we use low force approaches, and we may add cold laser, ultrasound, or muscle stimulation to address inflammation.
We also offer paraffin wax therapy, which is particularly well suited to arthritic hands and feet. Warm wax coats the joint, holds heat evenly, and eases stiffness in a way that is difficult to achieve any other way. Many patients find it the most comfortable part of the visit. Consistent gentle motion is one of the most effective things available for an arthritic joint, and your doctor will talk through what is reasonable for you to keep moving between visits. Written home exercise instructions are available if you would like them.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Eveline Onkels, DC and Dr. Michael Onkels, DC, Onkels Chiropractic, Bountiful, Utah. This page is for general information and is not a substitute for an examination.
Chiropractic care does not reverse arthritic change, but it can meaningfully reduce pain and stiffness. We restore motion to the surrounding joints, release the muscle guarding that develops around a painful joint, and help you maintain the range of motion you have.
Yes. Paraffin wax is especially helpful for arthritic hands and feet. The warm wax coats the joint and holds heat evenly, which eases stiffness and makes movement more comfortable. Ask about it at your visit.
With the right technique, yes. Arthritic joints do not respond well to force, so we use gentle, low force approaches. Your doctor examines you first and adapts treatment to your specific situation.
Tell us before treatment. Inflammatory arthritis requires medical management and affects which techniques are appropriate, particularly in the neck. We will coordinate with your physician rather than work around them.
No, and we would rather be straight with you about that. Arthritis is a structural change. Treatment is aimed at reducing pain, improving mobility, and slowing the loss of function, which for most people is a substantial difference in daily life.
Call us now or send a message. If you reach us after hours, we will get back to you the next business day.
Fill this out and we will contact you as soon as possible.